Post by pOkLE on Feb 26, 2013 14:21:37 GMT -6
Often times referees seems to cave to the incessant whining for handling fouls (from players, parents, coaches, etc). So, as part of my community (prepboard) service, I thought it might be helpful for referees and parents alike to review what exactly "handling" is. Maybe we can cut down on the bickering get edemucated at the same time.
Briefly, it does not matter that the ball touched little Susie's hand. Yep, that's right: the ball often times hits players' hands/arms and it is not a "handball." There are many more factors to consider, all of them very logical (unlike most spectators).
See below for US Soccer referee directive on "handling" and criteria to be considered in calling the foul (my emphasis added).
___________________________________________________________
Handling the Ball:
Keys to Identifying Handling the Ball
There are several key criteria referees should use to determine whether contact
between a player’s hand/arm and the ball constitutes a foul for handling. Many of
the criteria have formed the foundation of referee identification of handling
offenses for years. Despite this foundation, handling criteria continue to be
applied inconsistently.
Going forward, additional criteria will need to be considered by officials in
determining if contact by the ball with the hand/arm is, in fact, a handling offense.
For example: Did the player make himself bigger?
The following 3 criteria should be the primary factors considered by the referee:
1. Making yourself bigger
This refers to the placement of the arm(s)/hand(s) of the defending player at
the time the ball is played by the opponent. Should an arm/hand be in a
position that takes away space from the team with the ball and the ball
contacts the arm/hand, the referee should interpret this contact as handling.
Referees should interpret this action as the defender “deliberately” putting
his arm/hand in a position in order to reduce the options of the opponent (like
spreading your arms wide to take away the passing lane of an attacker).
• Does the defender use his hand/arm as a barrier?
• Does the defender use his hand/arm to take away space and/or the
passing lane from the opponent?
• Does the defender use his hand/arm to occupy more space by extending
his reach or extending the ability of his body to play the ball thereby
benefiting from the extension(s)?
2. Is the arm or hand in an “unnatural position?”
Is the arm or hand in a position that is not normal or natural for a player
performing the task at hand.
3. Did the player “benefit?”
In considering all the “signs” described above, the referee should also
consider the result of the player’s (usually a defender) action. Did the
defender’s action (handling of the ball) deny an opportunity (for example, a
pass or shot on goal) that would have otherwise been available to the
opponent? Did the offending player gain an unfair tactical advantage from
contact with the hand/arm which enabled him to retain possession? In other
words: Did the player benefit by putting his hand/arm in an “unnatural
position?”
The referee needs to be able to quickly calculate the result of the
player’s action to determine whether an offence has been committed.
After applying the aforementioned criteria, if the referee is still uncertain as to
whether handling the ball has occurred, the referee should then incorporate the
following two criteria as part of his decision making process:
4. Reaction Time
The less time a defender has to react, the less likely there has been a
handling offense. For example, a ball struck from a close distance, or a very
fast moving ball, or a ball coming in from a direction which is outside the
defender’s view gives little or no time for the defender’s reaction to be
“deliberate.” The referee must take into consideration whether the defender’s
reaction is purely instinctive, taken to protect sensitive areas of the body as
the face. Distance is a factor in determining “reaction time.” The further the
ball, the more reaction time a play may have.
5. Hand / arm to ball
Referees must be ready to judge whether the player moved his arm to the ball
thereby initiating the contact. Additionally, the referee should evaluate
whether the player deliberately readjusted his body position to block the ball
thus intentionally playing the ball with his hand/arm.
Briefly, it does not matter that the ball touched little Susie's hand. Yep, that's right: the ball often times hits players' hands/arms and it is not a "handball." There are many more factors to consider, all of them very logical (unlike most spectators).
See below for US Soccer referee directive on "handling" and criteria to be considered in calling the foul (my emphasis added).
___________________________________________________________
Handling the Ball:
Keys to Identifying Handling the Ball
There are several key criteria referees should use to determine whether contact
between a player’s hand/arm and the ball constitutes a foul for handling. Many of
the criteria have formed the foundation of referee identification of handling
offenses for years. Despite this foundation, handling criteria continue to be
applied inconsistently.
Going forward, additional criteria will need to be considered by officials in
determining if contact by the ball with the hand/arm is, in fact, a handling offense.
For example: Did the player make himself bigger?
The following 3 criteria should be the primary factors considered by the referee:
1. Making yourself bigger
This refers to the placement of the arm(s)/hand(s) of the defending player at
the time the ball is played by the opponent. Should an arm/hand be in a
position that takes away space from the team with the ball and the ball
contacts the arm/hand, the referee should interpret this contact as handling.
Referees should interpret this action as the defender “deliberately” putting
his arm/hand in a position in order to reduce the options of the opponent (like
spreading your arms wide to take away the passing lane of an attacker).
• Does the defender use his hand/arm as a barrier?
• Does the defender use his hand/arm to take away space and/or the
passing lane from the opponent?
• Does the defender use his hand/arm to occupy more space by extending
his reach or extending the ability of his body to play the ball thereby
benefiting from the extension(s)?
2. Is the arm or hand in an “unnatural position?”
Is the arm or hand in a position that is not normal or natural for a player
performing the task at hand.
3. Did the player “benefit?”
In considering all the “signs” described above, the referee should also
consider the result of the player’s (usually a defender) action. Did the
defender’s action (handling of the ball) deny an opportunity (for example, a
pass or shot on goal) that would have otherwise been available to the
opponent? Did the offending player gain an unfair tactical advantage from
contact with the hand/arm which enabled him to retain possession? In other
words: Did the player benefit by putting his hand/arm in an “unnatural
position?”
The referee needs to be able to quickly calculate the result of the
player’s action to determine whether an offence has been committed.
After applying the aforementioned criteria, if the referee is still uncertain as to
whether handling the ball has occurred, the referee should then incorporate the
following two criteria as part of his decision making process:
4. Reaction Time
The less time a defender has to react, the less likely there has been a
handling offense. For example, a ball struck from a close distance, or a very
fast moving ball, or a ball coming in from a direction which is outside the
defender’s view gives little or no time for the defender’s reaction to be
“deliberate.” The referee must take into consideration whether the defender’s
reaction is purely instinctive, taken to protect sensitive areas of the body as
the face. Distance is a factor in determining “reaction time.” The further the
ball, the more reaction time a play may have.
5. Hand / arm to ball
Referees must be ready to judge whether the player moved his arm to the ball
thereby initiating the contact. Additionally, the referee should evaluate
whether the player deliberately readjusted his body position to block the ball
thus intentionally playing the ball with his hand/arm.
