Question Number: 30916

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/18/2016

RE: Competitive Under 19

David Bermingham of Herndon, VA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30906

In his answer Referee McHugh defines a legal charge from the LOTG as 'a challenge for space using physical contact within playing distance of the ball without using arms or elbows' and continues to state 'So the hip [or] shoulder can be used.'
I referee girls matches frequently and notice they charge with their hips quite often, but my understanding of the law was always that a legal charge was shoulders only. Referees Dawson and Grove seem to mirror this interpretation in their answers. Have I been penalizing these young women unnecessarily?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi David,
possibly if it is not a direct ramming point where it contacts the back or stomach. It a valid observation given two players charging one another at a side position the hips are bound to collide . That would be different though, then a hip check as in hockey. You could not bend at the hips and undercut an opponent but to deflect off one another as each seek to push the other off the ball as they run side by side would in my opinion be quite fair and normal in a legal charge as a bump off the ball. Even the arm hanging down will be pinched in between at times. It may well be better to describe a legal charge as a side by side leaning or coming together then JUST reinforcing that only a very small portion of the shoulder can be rammed to achieve fair contact.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi David
It is the manner of the contact that is important. Players side by side with the ball within playing distance I could certainly see situations where hip on hip would be seen as a legal charge. In the mens game the use of upper body is much more prevalent.
What is more likely and in my opinion illegal would be where a player uses her hip to check a player in a challenge. Typically the leg is raised and the hip, upper thigh is used to foul the opponent. That would be totally different from lateral movement of a hip while side by side to move an opponent off the ball.