Question Number: 16696

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/15/2007

RE: beginner Under 15

elle of destin, Florida US asks...

what do you do if someone touches the ball? I'm really confused and can't find answers anywhere!!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

There are many ways to touch the ball and until we get specific I'm afraid us trying to guess what you mean, when you mean and how you mean will confuse you more. As example, an attacker going into the goal to collect the ball after she has just scored a goal, a defender picking up the ball to throw it to an attacker he has just fouled, a midfielder getting ready to make a throw-in when it is the other sides restart, a coach handing the ball to one of his players and kicking it away from the opponents, and on and on...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I'm going to guess you mean what do you do if a spectator or coach touches the ball while it's still on the field of play and the answer is you restart with a dropped ball

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If a spectator or outside agent touches the ball, then it is a drop ball at the spot of touching. If the referee touches the ball, its play on. Players of course are allowed to touch ball during game.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

If the ball is in play and someone or something other than one of the twenty two players while on the field intercept or touch the ball we have a stoppage and a drop ball to restart play after the offending person or thing dog etc is removed!

If the ball strikes a sleepy referee or AR while on the field play continues the same as a rebound off a post crossbar or corner flag. An official is but part of the field of play!

If you mean touch the ball with the hands only the keepers within their respective penalty areas can legally and deliberately use their hands on the ball. Any deliberate hand on the ball by the other players anywhere on the field or by the two keepers outside their respective penalty areas is a DFK penal offence (handles the ball deliberately!)
A DFK offence inside the offender's own penalty area is always upgraded to a PK ! BUT!! Remember a keeper cannot be quilty of a deliberate handling offence inside his own area only INDFK offences as outlined in law 12!
Cheers