Question Number: 31290

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/23/2017

RE: rec,select Under 15

gary of nashua, nh 03060 asks...

A player makes intentional hip contact from a 45 degree angle with arm in tight,without a clear attempt to win the ball...foul?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gary
The Laws allow for a legal charge to be made against an opponent. To do so the following conditions need to be met
The ball is within playing distance of both players
The contact is side to side
An arm is not used to push the opponent
The effort used is not reckless or excessive
Each player has a foot on the ground
I would describe the contact as easing the opponent off the ball and the amount of force allowed is relative to the age and experience of the players, but should never be excessive. This is as defined by the referee on the game, not some book definition, adjusted as necessary for the age and experience of the players and what has happened or is happening in this particular game on this particular day at this particular moment. It all boils down to what is best for the referees management and the players full enjoyment of the game.
It becomes a foul when the contact is into the players back or front and / or the contact is reckless and / or The ball is not within playing distance
So from your description it is difficult to say although if it is only a hip that is used by the player that will IMO will be a foul.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Gary,
Although the Laws do not provide a detailed description of what does or does not constitute a legal charge, the guidelines given by ref McHugh pretty much sum up the factors to consider. I'm not sure what you mean by ''without a clear attempt to win the ball.'' If you mean the ball was not even in the vicinity, then it definitely would be a foul.

If the ball was within playing distance then it's trickier to judge from the limited information in your description. One important factor you don't mention is the amount of force involved in the contact. If the amount of force used were absolutely negligible, for instance, then it might be seen as merely incidental contact which could be tolerated but the more force was used, the more likely it is that a foul has occurred.

One thing I should mention is that whether it was intentional has nothing to do with it. The element of intent was removed from consideration, in regard to physical offences against an opponent, in 1995. The referee should only consider whether the offence was careless, reckless or used excessive force.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Gary,
if the players are running side by side the ease off is somewhat easier to discern. Angled approaches or head on hip checks like a hockey style are indeed fouls if they are perceived as a holding, pushing or charging action. Usually an intersecting run at speed is a large mass moving quickly thus the physical collision is much greater than a simple coming together. This is where the careless, reckless or excessive nature of such an act must be carefully scrutinized
As my colleagues denote the requirements we do watch if the contact is square or into the back or front of the opponent! We look to eyes are they directed to the ball or player? Is the ball there to be won? Are both player equally at odds with the other in their use of their arms to ward the other away or pull/hold them closer? The ball must be within playing distance for ANY contact not to be considered as unfair.
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

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