Question Number: 15042

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/25/2007

RE: Rec - AYSO Under 15

Sparky Silling of Albuquerque, New Mexico USA asks...

Suppose an attacker is dribbling the ball and a defender is running alongside. The ball is within playing distance of both players. The defender bumps the attacker, shoulder to shoulder, hard enough that the attacker loses control of the ball. Yet the bump is not hard enough to be obviously careless, reckless, etc.

On the one hand this seems like a fair charge, permissible under the laws. On the other, the defender is certainly playing the player, not the ball. So what's the right call?

Related question: in making a fair charge, may a player use his arm at all, or does he have to keep it rigidly at his side? Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What constitutes careless is up to you. You say it's a fair charge then it's a fair charge. How much of the arm is allowed varies among age and skill level. Watch the UEFA Cup and you'll see players grabbing and shoving each other with no foul called. It's what the players are comfortable. At U12 rec, almost no one would allow much more than a shoulder to shoulder charge. Your comment about the defender not playing the ball is curious. Of course he's not playing the ball. You charge an opponent not the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

After a charge a player had better play the ball, if not the contact was to intimidate, and that is unsporting. As to using the arms, one need only read the US Soccer's Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The intent - yeah, that word we're not supposed to know - of the charging player must be to win the ball, not just disposses the opponent. That's a very fine line. Another fine distinction must be made as to how far away from the body the arm is allowed to go before it changes from a charge to a push. And the ref has to decide whether the charge is allowed play or is careless/reckless/excessive. That's 3 judgement calls to make in a short timespan. Referees can only gain such discernment with a lot of experience.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If the referee does not deem it careless, reckless, or w/ excessive force, then it is NOT a foul. That is the letter of the law. So according to your wording, I say no foul. Now I may argue with you that if the player used his shoulder to push his opponent away from the ball, then it is careless.

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

See Question: 15119