Question Number: 30963

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/27/2016

RE: Competitive Under 17

Aaron Speca of Virginia Beach, VA USA asks...

Saw a call I have never even heard of before. A player was whistled for a foul for 'jumping at a player'. Is this a thing? (In the video, #23 blue jumped in front of #10 white and was called for the foul.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5KFXI6LIyQ

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Aaron,
Yes, jumping at an opponent is most definitely an offence. Page 81, LotG 2016-17 states:

''A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
[...]
• jumps at''

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Aaron
I call this foul of jumping at an opponent regularly. The player makes no attempt to play the ball and does what the Law lists as an offence which is jumps at an opponent.
I think the one in the video is a soft one yet nonetheless the Blue player makes no effort to play the ball, turns her back and jumps at the direction of the White player.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Aaron,
nice to see you back how are the kids doing?
Yes there is a foul of JUMPS at an opponent though your video is not one that I agree with as an shining example. It was more trying not to get tripped with a bunny hop. In my opinion a very very soft foul. In fact I do not see it as met by my standards. Then my opinions are not always correct! Although it is a terrible habit to turn away and continue to jump or move towards an opponent as these are easily interpreted as a careless foul given it is by nature a careless, non safe action.
Have a look through some of the tackles below . LOOK where players leave their feet and follow through with jumps into, at and on with both or one foot into the opponent . Many are possible the worst type of fouls and injury creating situations in football! THESE are REAL jumps at an opponent and MOST are SFP or VC indeed even a complete miss as an attempt could result in a card and a free kick note the foul is JUMPS AT not ON the opponent!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0HAoHwhpW4

Cheers