Question Number: 16895

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/25/2007

RE: rec Adult

Brian of McKinleyville, CA usa asks...

Can you be called for a charge without even making contact with the opposing player?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

No. A charge implies that there is contact. I don't see how that would be possible. There are fouls like attempting to trip, attempting to kick, or attempting to strike which do not require contact and are punished with a direct free kick, and there is an offense of impeding the progress of an opponent, which is punished with an indirect free kick.

However, Charging requires contact.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Maybe they meant jumping at? That's a direct free kick restart and doesn't require contact.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This is impossible because charging implies physical contact. Jumps at an opponent is another story, no contact is necessary there.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

No. I cannot see that happening.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

From Referee Magazine 2006

What is "Jumping At an Opponent"?
By Jim Allen

It is a general principle underlying the Law that players are not permitted to "play" the opponent rather than the ball. That is enshrined in the concept of "jumping at an opponent." "Jumping at" means precisely that: launching one's body toward the opponent. It can be from a standing or "flying" position. It can be done in two ways: (1) to intimidate or (2) in a feigned (really meant to distract or intimidate the opponent) or genuine but unsuccessful attempt to gain the ball. It is most often seen under the pretext of heading the ball, but may also be seen when a player launches himself through the air, feet first, to "tackle" away the ball.
Example. A8 is running upfield with the ball. Defender B3 jumps at A8 to startle him, causing A8 to flinch and lose possession.
What to do? B3 has committed the foul of jumping at an opponent if he does it in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force. If the foul was careless, the result would be a direct free kick (or penalty kick if committed within B's penalty area) for team A. If the foul was reckless, the result would be a caution/yellow card to B3 for unsporting behavior and a direct free kick (or penalty kick) for team A. If the foul involved excessive force, the result would be a send-off/red card for B3 and a direct free kick (or penalty kick) for team A.
Normally contact is not required, as specified by the word "at" in the name of the foul. However, another form of "jumping at" an opponent is the two-footed tackle, which by definition has to be a jump - launching one's body toward that of the opponent. If that two-footed tackle is for the ball, it is likely fair, but if the jumping player lands on the ball just as the opponent's foot is kicking it, the referee should consider the tackle dangerous and punish it with an indirect free kick. If contact is made with the opponent, give a direct free kick. If it is reckless, caution it. If it is done with excessive force, send the player off.
Faking. Another form of "jumping at" is to make the foul appear to have been committed by the opponent when the player with the ball has actually committed it. That sort of foul is common in youth soccer, where some players jump into an opponent and, while doing so, turn their back. Since that essentially makes them an unguided missile, it highlights the danger of jumping at an opponent with the back turned. Direct free kick for the opponent's team.
Where to punish? At the spot where the opponent was affected by the jump. If a player starts his jump outside the penalty area but completes it inside, the referee must give the direct free kick (or penalty kick, if applicable) inside the penalty area.
There are two things to remember about "jumping at" an opponent. First, contact is not required for the foul. The foul is in the intimidation or distraction of the opponent by the jump. Second, this is one of those fouls where the "rule of thumb" about "playing the player rather than the ball" is particularly apt as a shorthand way of viewing the offense - the foul is almost certain when the offending player is looking at the opponent rather than the ball.

"Jumping at" has nothing to do with the foul of charging. "Jumping at" implies carelessness on the part of the player, while charging can be done fairly. If a charge misses, it cannot be a foul at all, but the way in which it is committed could be considered to be unsporting behavior.