Question Number: 16331

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/16/2007

RE: Rec Adult

Nate of Bellingham, WA USA asks...

I searched this site but couldn't find an answer to this question:

What parts of the hand/arm/shoulder qualify for handling the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Often there is an illustration in the Laws of the Game or Advice to Referees that shows the definition of arm. Think of a player wearing a jersey. The piece of cloth that forms the sleeve is sewn onto the body of the jersey. The sleeve is the arm, the body is not. This assumes the player is wearing a shirt that fits him, where the shoulder seam is actually at the bend of the shoulder, not halfway down the biceps.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

All of them, if used, are considered to qualify for handling - the hand including the fingers, the forearm, the bicep, the shoulder joint and the tricep, all the parts that join them together and the skin that covers all of those parts. The real question is whether or not those pieces of a human body are used DELIBERATELY to control or direct a ball. If so, in the opinion of the referee (and only the referee) we have a handling offense. If not, we have nothing, and no whistle should be blown - ever.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The finger tips to the very top of the shoulder. Again remember that the player has to have handled the ball deliberatly. Do not just call it because it is an easy foul to sell.