Question Number: 9105

Law 18 - Common Sense

RE: High School High School

Jim Hagman of gig harbor, wa usa asks...

Several times in a game I reffed last night, a ball is in the air with players waiting to head the ball. The white team players just stand there, looking up at the ball waiting for it to come down. The blue player, who is behind the white player, jumps up and over / on the back of the white player to head the ball. If the blue player went straight up and headed the ball, no call. But I would call a foul when they would go over the back, land on the back, etc. The blue coach complained because the white players were just standing there not trying to play the ball. I don't see anything in the Laws or advice to referees that say if a player is just standing there the opponent can jump on / over the players back to get the ball. What say you?

Answer provided by Referee Dawson

Hi Jim, .The speed and strength of a man coming over the back has possible reckless or excessive elements of misconduct but in truth I admittedly see a few criteria missing from a foul given your description of the events. As long as the jump up to head the ball does not first contact the opponent once the ball is headed away some contact could occur as incidental and part of a normal physical challenge. If the jumper has his arms on top of the shoulders of his opponent thus holding him down as he pushes up or pushes or charges the opponent out of the way BEFORE ANY headed ball is actually contacted then we have issues. An example might be a long jump forward with the knees into the back as frightfully dangerous but a player who can outjump his opponent should not be penalized UNLESS the contact is unfair as per a penal foul or dangerous play. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The coach can complain until he's blue in the face Jim. He has no clue of historical precedents in this Game. One is: player is entitled to the ground on which he stands. He may not be moved from that ground unless there is a challenge involving the ball and contact with him is made after contact with the ball or the contact is shoulder to shoulder, with at least one foot on the ground, and the ball is present for immediate play. ..If the coach continues his complaining remind him he's in the technical area at your pleasure and as long as he confines his remarks to tactical instructions he can stay. Otherwise.....Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

There certainly is no restriction for standing in one place. Blue player goes over back, it's a foul. Good call. Coach is being creative but wrong

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