Question Number: 14856

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/17/2007

RE: recreation Adult

kyle olphert of belfast, northen ireland asks...

if the ball touches your arm below the shoulder and above the elbow how much of the arm is deemed handball?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The entire arm, from the shoulder joint to the fingertips, is the portion of the body that cannot be used to deliberately handle the ball. Think of a well-fit shirt. Anything on the sleeve, from the shoulder seam on down, is out of play. (Not a sloppily worn t-shirt, where the seam might be 3 or 4 inches down the arm!)

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the ball touches the arm, it's NOT deliberately handling the ball. The "hand" in soccer extends from the tip of the fingers to the outside and front of the shoulder. If a player uses and part of the "hand" deliberately to play the ball, that is an offence.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The hand extends from the fingers to the top of the shoulder.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Touches you arm is WAY different than your arm deliberately touching. That's what you can't do from the shoulder to the tip of your fingers.

Regards,