Question Number: 35638

High School 8/2/2024

RE: highschool and National League and division 1 club Under 17

Brody Davis of Kansas City, Missouri USA asks...

if the ball is in the air 50/50 ball soccer and the defender kicks the opponents calf when the attacker leg is in the air is it a foul

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brody
Thanks for the question.

A player may not kick an opponent either intentionally or accidentally and to do so will result in an offence punished by a direct free kick.
If the referee considers the action is reckless it will also result in a caution.
It makes no difference if the player is in the air or not and many times it is just a timing issue with the player getting to the ball quicker on a 50/50 ball resulting in a kick to the player rather than the ball.

There are many examples of an opponent putting their leg in to play the ball and the player kicks the opponent rather than the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Brody,

Kicking a player is a direct free kick offense as indicated in NFHS (High School) rule 12-1-7 which states a player shall not kick or attempt to kick an opponent.

AS Referee McHugh indicated, the player could be cautioned for reckless NFHS Rule 12-5-1f9. If the kick was done with disproportionate and/or unnecessary force, the player could be ejected (red card), as indicated in NFHS 12-6-1f1.

I hope your high school team has a very successful season this fall.