Question Number: 16325

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/15/2007

RE: Recreational Adult

Patrick of Bloomington, MN USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 16207

Surely, it has been covered before; but could we have perhaps general guidelines on when a foul has occurred.

I've had players snap at me, and yet it happens normally, when a pass is coming towards the offensive player, I see it too and we brush up on each other in going for it. In this way, it is a lot like basketball; but I try to stay within the rules.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

What exactly are you asking?

The only guideline I can give you is that a foul occurs when a player violates certain provisions of law 12 (fouls and misconduct, read for yourself) on the field of play, by a player, against an opponent or the opposing team, while the ball is in play. Those are the critera for when a foul has been committed. There is also one other piece to this puzzle. The referee has to be of the opinion that a foul has occurred for it to actually be a foul, and the referee doesn't always stop play. There could be advantage, etc.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This Game is not like basketball and should not be played like basketball. Those using things commonly available to basketball players will find Association Football [soccer] players snapping at them.

Regards,