Question Number: 16886

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/24/2007

RE: Seledt, comp

Steve Caldwell of San Jose, CA USA asks...

I often hear players and parents yelling about players "playing the ball when they are on the ground." I see no rule against this. I understand that in some cases it can be deemed a dangerous play, but my understanding is that there is nothing prohibiting a player from playing the ball when he/she is on the ground. Is my interpretation/understanding correct?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There is no such provision. You are correct, sometimes this could be Playing In A Dangerous Manner, if the opponents cannot play the ball lest they harm the player on the ground.

Many youth leagues have prohibitions against slide tackles at younger ages. This is quite reasonable, as most of these players cannot properly execute a safe slide tackle. Unfortunately as the players are told through U6 and U8 and U10 that they "can't play on the ground", a Myth is born and reinforced.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Steve, you as a referee should know there's no rule against playing the ball while on the ground. You are correct. the infraction is playing in a dangerous manner and for that to happen 3 things must occur 1. the action must be dangerous even if it's only to the person committing the action2. an opponent must be nearby and 3 the opponent must somehow be disadvantaged by the action. Remember fouls are against opponents.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Parents have to yell something, playing the ball on the ground sounds important so they yell that, they also yell offsides, handball, foul throw, high kick, you can't pass the ball to the goalie and many other things, unrepeatable in polite conversation, which are also untrue.

Regards,