Post by northlasoccerdad on Feb 12, 2010 14:18:05 GMT -6
Since folks seem to be eager for constructive discussion, let's talk about handling. If I had $1 for every time players, coaches, and spectators yelled "handball" this year... well, I'd more than double my income as a referee.
First, we should use the proper terminology. The foul is for "handling", not a "handball".
Remembering that the foul is for "handling" helps with the second point, which is that for contact between the ball and hand or arm to be a foul it must be "deliberate" (ie., intentional, on purpose, not accidental). That means, at least to me, that 90% or better of contact between the ball and hand is not a foul because it is unintentional. It happens incidentally in the course of play.
This elaboration is from the USSF document "Interpretation of the Laws of the Game":
Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration:
• the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
• the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
• the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement
• touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard etc.) counts as an infringement
• hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard etc.) counts as an infringement
The USSF document "Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game" adds that "deliberate contact means that the player could have avoided the touch but chose not to, that the player's arms were not in a normal playing position at the time, or that the player deliberately continued an initially accidental contact for the purpose of gaining an unfair advantage... The fact that the player may benefit from the ball contacting the hand does not transform the otherwise accidental event into an infringement... The rule of thumb for referees is that it is handling if the player plays the ball, but not handling if the ball plays the player." It also adds that contact with the shoulder is a foul, but that contact only with the top of the shoulder is not a foul.
Simple, right? Of course not. In the course of play on the field, it can be a difficult judgement to make.
And, as is often the case, USSF and NFHS rules differ in some ways. USSF allows a player to move his/her hands into the path of an oncoming ball to protect the body, as long as there is no subsequent effort to direct the ball. NFHS makes no such allowance -- if the hands are moved into the path of an oncoming ball and the ball strikes the hands, it is a foul (no matter how unfair that seems). In NHFS, if the hands are stationary before the ball is kicked (for instance, placed over the groin or chest prior to a free kick), there is no foul.
I think that if players, coaches, spectators... and yes, referees... understood these rules and nuances, there would be a lot less confusion. Of course, there will still be disagreements, and it still comes down to the referee's judgement in the end.
I am sure that older and wiser persons will add their perspective and experience.
First, we should use the proper terminology. The foul is for "handling", not a "handball".
Remembering that the foul is for "handling" helps with the second point, which is that for contact between the ball and hand or arm to be a foul it must be "deliberate" (ie., intentional, on purpose, not accidental). That means, at least to me, that 90% or better of contact between the ball and hand is not a foul because it is unintentional. It happens incidentally in the course of play.
This elaboration is from the USSF document "Interpretation of the Laws of the Game":
Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration:
• the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
• the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
• the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement
• touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard etc.) counts as an infringement
• hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard etc.) counts as an infringement
The USSF document "Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game" adds that "deliberate contact means that the player could have avoided the touch but chose not to, that the player's arms were not in a normal playing position at the time, or that the player deliberately continued an initially accidental contact for the purpose of gaining an unfair advantage... The fact that the player may benefit from the ball contacting the hand does not transform the otherwise accidental event into an infringement... The rule of thumb for referees is that it is handling if the player plays the ball, but not handling if the ball plays the player." It also adds that contact with the shoulder is a foul, but that contact only with the top of the shoulder is not a foul.
Simple, right? Of course not. In the course of play on the field, it can be a difficult judgement to make.
And, as is often the case, USSF and NFHS rules differ in some ways. USSF allows a player to move his/her hands into the path of an oncoming ball to protect the body, as long as there is no subsequent effort to direct the ball. NFHS makes no such allowance -- if the hands are moved into the path of an oncoming ball and the ball strikes the hands, it is a foul (no matter how unfair that seems). In NHFS, if the hands are stationary before the ball is kicked (for instance, placed over the groin or chest prior to a free kick), there is no foul.
I think that if players, coaches, spectators... and yes, referees... understood these rules and nuances, there would be a lot less confusion. Of course, there will still be disagreements, and it still comes down to the referee's judgement in the end.
I am sure that older and wiser persons will add their perspective and experience.