Question Number: 16622

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/9/2007

RE: school soccer Under 9

sami of vanocuver, canada asks...

are u allowed to kick a soccer ball whilest u are on the ground?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If you can do it safely. If because of your position you are in a dangerous situation, preventing your opponents from playing the ball lest they hurt you, you should be called for Playing In A Dangerous Manner (sometimes shortened to "dangerous play"). The restart would be an indirect free kick for your opponents.

At the younger ages, referees are more proactive when a player is in a potentially dangerous situation, and will make the PIADM call sooner to protect the player on the ground.

Many youth leagues prohibit slide tackling at the younger ages, because the players aren't skilled enough to execute them properly. This prohibition commonly gets misinterpreted to being, "You can't play while you're on the ground!" And it sticks around for years, long after the prohibition against slide tackling is lifted. Another Myth is born.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes provided that it is not dangerous. It becomes dangerous if an oppo0nent is close to the ball and hesitates to play it as a result of the ball being played by a player on ground.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Sure you are as long as it's not dangerous and you do not disadvantage an opponent. It's a myth that you cannot play the ball on the ground

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

YES!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

YES!
It is NOT a foul to do so.
(PIADM) playing in a dangerous manner is a subjective call based on the mitigating factor of reasonability! Once on the ground a referee will look to see why you are there and establish a safety position, can you kick the ball, can you shield the ball as it is in playing distance? Or set a time frame to get up or not lay on top of a ball for an unreasonable length of time! You are not prohibited from playing the ball just because you are on the ground. I have scored a very few goals (2) but cleared many many balls off the goal line defending from the seat of me arse.
Cheers