Question Number: 17075

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/3/2007

RE: HIGH SCOOL High School

CHUCK HUETER of ROSEDALE, MARYLAND USA asks...

DEFENDER FALLS IN SIDE THE 6YD BOX HE IS THE LAST DEFENDER WHEN HE FALLS THE BALL IS ROLLING TOWARDS THE GOAL , FROM MY ANGLE WHEN HE FALLS NOW THE BALL IS GOING AWAY FROM THE GOAL AND HIS HANDS HIT THE BALL POSSIBLY UNINTENTIONAL . MY Q IS HANDBALL WITH PK OR RED CARD AND PK ?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Was the ball deliberately handled? Without that, we have nothing. No foul, no misconduct.

HS age players can be sneaky, though. Make sure that what you saw as a "fall down" wasn't a planned move. If the player deliberately went to ground and then his hands hit the ball, his deliberate actions caused a foul. Decide on misconduct on the other (de)merits of the play - likelyhood of the ball going into the goal, placement of defenders, etc.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

YOU HAVE TO DECIDE IF THE BALL WAS HANDLED DELIBERATELY. YOU SAY IT MIGHT BE UNINTENTIONAL AND IF THAT IS TRUE THEN THERE IS NO FOUL AND NO CALL.

IF THE ACT WAS DELIBERATE THEN YOU HAVE TO DECIDE IF THE BALL WOULD ENTER THE GOAL IF YOU'RE GOING TO CONSIDER A RED CARD, BUT I'M MORE CONCERNED THAT YOU HAVE NOT MADE A DECISION AS REGARDS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE BALL HAS BEEN HANDLED DELIBERATELY.

REMEMBER - IF THE BALL IS NOT HANDLED DELIBERATELY THEN IT CANNOT BE A FOUL.

BY THE WAY, DO YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT TO READ MY RESPONSE? How about now?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Chuck. You say the handling was unintentional. If it's unintentional it's NOT deliberate. No call. Let play continue.