Referee Discussion - Hand Balls

[Unregistered]

Would be curious to hear responses to the following questions. If you answer, it would also be interesting to hear if you are a referee, player, coach, or parent.

Question 1 - You are watching the U12 state cup final. Player A is running toward an opposing team's defender who is about to clear the ball. The defender boots the ball, and before player A has a chance to react and move his hand and arm, which is moving forward in a natural running motion, the ball smashes into his hand. As a result, the ball bounces off player A's hand into the opposing team's goal. This goal, scored in overtime, holds and becomes the winning goal of the game. How upset would you be if the referee missed this hand ball and allowed such a crazy goal?

Question 2 - You are watching a U18 game. Defender A is standing on his goal line expecting a possible shot coming his direction. He therefore moves his hand in front of his face to protect his face from getting hit. An opposing forward blasts a shot from three 3 yards away and the ball does in fact hit defender A's hand which has moved into the defensive position protecting his face. Defender A does not move his hand forward and does not have time to move his hand or face out of the way. The ball drops to defender A's feet, and he is able to clear it away. If defender A's hand and face were not in the path of the ball, the ball clearly would have gone into the net, and the opposing team would have scored. Should the referee give defender A a yellow card after he awards the penalty kick for the hand ball in the box which so clearly got in the way of a goal?

Question 3 - You are watching a very skillful U13 team in the state cup finals. A midfielder is receiving a pass from his teammate that is coming in with good pace. This midfielder clumsily mis-traps the ball, which quickly bounces up from his foot into his naturally hanging hand before he has a chance to move it. After hitting his hand, the ball drops very conveniently to his feet, and he is able to shoot it into the opposing team's goal before a nearby defender is able to stop him. This goal is the winning goal with only one minute left on the clock. The defender would have had ample time to close this player had the bad mis-trap not been rectified by the ball hitting the midfielder's hand and the defender would therefore have been able to prevent the shot and goal, sending the game into overtime. Should the referee that didn't call this handball and allowed this goal to stand be allowed to coach any further youth soccer games?

[Unregistered]

Too many words.


At younger ages, if the ball is kicked into the "hands" of a player, usually no hand ball. As they get older, the rule is enforced more and more such that any ball kicked into the "hand" of a player gets a handball, if the ref sees it. At younger ages. it's a crap shoot unless the player is obvious in their use of a hand.

[Unregistered]

Would be curious to hear responses to the following questions. If you answer, it would also be interesting to hear if you are a referee, player, coach, or parent.

Question 1 - You are watching the U12 state cup final. Player A is running toward an opposing team's defender who is about to clear the ball. The defender boots the ball, and before player A has a chance to react and move his hand and arm, which is moving forward in a natural running motion, the ball smashes into his hand. As a result, the ball bounces off player A's hand into the opposing team's goal. This goal, scored in overtime, holds and becomes the winning goal of the game. How upset would you be if the referee missed this hand ball and allowed such a crazy goal?

Question 2 - You are watching a U18 game. Defender A is standing on his goal line expecting a possible shot coming his direction. He therefore moves his hand in front of his face to protect his face from getting hit. An opposing forward blasts a shot from three 3 yards away and the ball does in fact hit defender A's hand which has moved into the defensive position protecting his face. Defender A does not move his hand forward and does not have time to move his hand or face out of the way. The ball drops to defender A's feet, and he is able to clear it away. If defender A's hand and face were not in the path of the ball, the ball clearly would have gone into the net, and the opposing team would have scored. Should the referee give defender A a yellow card after he awards the penalty kick for the hand ball in the box which so clearly got in the way of a goal?

Question 3 - You are watching a very skillful U13 team in the state cup finals. A midfielder is receiving a pass from his teammate that is coming in with good pace. This midfielder clumsily mis-traps the ball, which quickly bounces up from his foot into his naturally hanging hand before he has a chance to move it. After hitting his hand, the ball drops very conveniently to his feet, and he is able to shoot it into the opposing team's goal before a nearby defender is able to stop him. This goal is the winning goal with only one minute left on the clock. The defender would have had ample time to close this player had the bad mis-trap not been rectified by the ball hitting the midfielder's hand and the defender would therefore have been able to prevent the shot and goal, sending the game into overtime. Should the referee that didn't call this handball and allowed this goal to stand be allowed to coach any further youth soccer games?

I am a coach. Before I answer I don't really care if its a "game winning goal" or not. For the ages you mention either I give the call or I don't. Here's my opinion:

1. If player one is in a natural position and the ball hits him with no time to react then it isn't a hand ball. Its just a normal play. But honestly it depends on what the ref considers a natural position. Personally I feel like if the hand is close to the body and htey are running normally and it creates a breakaway then it doesn't matter.

2. If the ref is going to give a PK then in your situation its a Red card. But honestly I don't understand your situation. You say the kick is from 3 yards away. At that age a kick from 3 yards away means I have no time to react, but you say I am putting my hadn in front of my face in anticipation. In that case its a handball and a red card because its not a natural position. But playing at that age I wouldn't sit here and wait I would attack. But if its a PK for a handball on the goal line then its a red card.

3. On number three (this will go a little against my answer to 1). Basically if the handball with the hand hitting teh ball in an natural position gives the player an advantage then I give the handball. I guess this is how I define it. If a defender kicks it into my hand (like number 1) when my hands in a natural position then its the defenders fault so its no hand ball. However, If i trap the ball and it hits my hand then I personally made a mistake which then is a hand ball, and should be called.

Basically I look at it this way: if im hands in an un natural position then its a hand ball. If my hands in a natural position and the other team hits my hand then its play on, but if my hands in a natural position, but my own bad touch makes it hit my hand then its my fault and its a hand ball.

[Unregistered]

Ref

1. Goal
2. Red card, PK
3. Yes; the best refs make mistakes. Certainly a u13 ref will as well.

[Unregistered]

Ref

1. Goal
2. Red card, PK
3. Yes; the best refs make mistakes. Certainly a u13 ref will as well.

I agree with this assessment. The hands have to be in a natural position (not covering a face) and without intention to gain an unfair advantage. For me, this call, like the initial evaluation, is often mis-called. You should always go back to the intent of the rule, that a player can't play the ball. Too many people make this into a difficult call when it isn't, decide if the hands are in a natural position, if there is intent and if they could have avoided it.

[Unregistered]

Ref

1. Goal
2. Red card, PK
3. Yes; the best refs make mistakes. Certainly a u13 ref will as well.

No way it is a red card. If the player reaches out and intentionally uses he hands, yes. If they are protecting themselves, no. PK should be awarded.

Any boy doing this deserves a red for being a sissy however.

Of course, the player shooting from 3 yards out and hitting the defender doesn't deserve to score either!

[Unregistered]

Don't disagree with the sentiments of the previous poster, but the laws of the game really don't leave much wiggle room here. Unfortunately, a hand ball that stops an obvious goal scoring opportunity is a red card as sad as that may be.

Other refs chime in. Can a case be made that it was not obvious dogso since the defenders body would have stopped the shot had the defender not handled it? Perhaps. If I'm being assessed, however, it is a red and a PK.

[Unregistered]

Don't disagree with the sentiments of the previous poster, but the laws of the game really don't leave much wiggle room here. Unfortunately, a hand ball that stops an obvious goal scoring opportunity is a red card as sad as that may be.

Other refs chime in. Can a case be made that it was not obvious dogso since the defenders body would have stopped the shot had the defender not handled it? Perhaps. If I'm being assessed, however, it is a red and a PK.

The handball must be determined intentional for it to be a red card. Incidental is not.

[Unregistered]

The handball must be determined intentional for it to be a red card. Incidental is not.

The law says "deliberate" and the red card is triggered by the denial of the obvious goal scoring opportunity because all hand balls are required to be deliberate. However, there's a lot of leeway in what is considered deliberate. There is a little wiggle room in the interpretations published by FIFA. I referee could conclude that the ball would have smashed the player in the face had it not been handled so an obvious goal scoring opportunity wasn't denied. You can also make a rationalization that protecting your face is instinctive, not deliberate but it's an unnatural position and still justifies the PK. A sending off for a deliberate hand ball should be reserved for things like the Suarez hand ball against Ghana in the last World Cup.

[Unregistered]

Given the title of this thread I was expecting it was about someone putting holes in the pockets of refs shorts similar to those in tuxedoes. Have to admit those holes are pretty darn convenient. And not for pulling down your shirt.

[Unregistered]

de·lib·er·ate Adjective /diˈlibərit/

Synonyms:
adjective: intentional, wilful, studied, willful, purposeful, prepense
verb: consider, ponder, debate, meditate, think over, reflect, confer, think, cogitate, discuss, contemplate, consult

Done consciously and intentionally
a deliberate attempt to provoke conflict

Fully considered; not impulsive
a deliberate decision

Done or acting in a careful and unhurried way
a careful and deliberate worker

[Unregistered]

de·lib·er·ate Adjective /diˈlibərit/

Synonyms:
adjective: intentional, wilful, studied, willful, purposeful, prepense
verb: consider, ponder, debate, meditate, think over, reflect, confer, think, cogitate, discuss, contemplate, consult

Done consciously and intentionally
a deliberate attempt to provoke conflict

Fully considered; not impulsive
a deliberate decision

Done or acting in a careful and unhurried way
a careful and deliberate worker

Deliberate and intentional are synonyms. FIFA uses the word deliberate, not intentional.

It's law 12 which says it's a direct free kick if a player: "handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)."

Here's law 12 on sending off offenses: "denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)."

Here's the interpretation of why a handball results in a sending off: "A player is sent off, however, if he prevents a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball. This punishment arises not from the act of the player deliberately handling the ball but from the unacceptable and unfair intervention that prevented a goal being scored."

If a referee thought that a player was just trying to keep from getting smashed in the face, the referee has some flexibility. It's not an automatic sending off, even if on the goal line.

[Unregistered]

Quoting Webster doesn't clarify a darn thing for me, but the last post is interesting.

What would you do if you were in the center of a hi-level game? What would you do if you were in the center of a u13 game as originally asked?

Interesting discussion.

[Unregistered]

I'm the poster of the original post. The answer is that a handball violation did not occur in any of the three scenarios. The handball is the most misunderstood penalty in soccer, worse than the offside call, often mis-interpreted by TV soccer commentators, coaches, and far too many referees. First, let's reference law 12.9 "Deliberate Handling", which says:

The offense known as "handling the ball" involves deliberate contact with the ball by a
player's hand or arm (including fingertips, upper arm, or outer shoulder). "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. Moving hands or arms instinctively to protect the body when suddenly faced
with a fast approaching ball does not constitute deliberate contact unless there is
subsequent action to direct the ball once contact is made. Likewise, placing hands or
arms to protect the body at a free kick or similar restart is not likely to produce an
infringement unless there is subsequent action to direct or control the ball. The fact that
a player may benefit from the ball contacting the hand does not transform the otherwise
accidental event into an infringement. A player infringes the Law regarding handling the
ball even if direct contact is avoided by holding something in the hand (clothing, shinguard,
etc.).

[Unregistered]

The Answer Key

I'm the poster of the original post. The answer is that a handball violation did not occur in any of the three scenarios. The handball is the most misunderstood penalty in soccer, worse than the offside call, often mis-interpreted by TV soccer commentators, coaches, and far too many referees. First, let's reference law 12.9 "Deliberate Handling", which says:

The offense known as "handling the ball" involves deliberate contact with the ball by a
player's hand or arm (including fingertips, upper arm, or outer shoulder). "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. Moving hands or arms instinctively to protect the body when suddenly faced
with a fast approaching ball does not constitute deliberate contact unless there is
subsequent action to direct the ball once contact is made. Likewise, placing hands or
arms to protect the body at a free kick or similar restart is not likely to produce an
infringement unless there is subsequent action to direct or control the ball. The fact that
a player may benefit from the ball contacting the hand does not transform the otherwise
accidental event into an infringement. A player infringes the Law regarding handling the
ball even if direct contact is avoided by holding something in the hand (clothing, shinguard,
etc.).

Sorry, still me, just twitchy fingers. So let's look at the three scenarios:

Question 1 - This was merely a warm up question and pretty easy. Player A did not deliberately handle the ball, his hand was in a normal position, and he could not avoid contact. There is no handball and the goal stands.

Question 2 - I was surprised how many people think this was a handball and were dishing out red cards. The key in this scenario comes straight from Law 12.9 which says "Moving hands or arms instinctively to protect the body when suddenly faced with a fast approaching ball does not constitute deliberate contact unless there is subsequent action to direct the ball once contact is made." This is spot on with the question 2 scenario. The defender moved his hands in front of his face to protect his face and, according to Law 12, this does not constitute deliberate contact. While conventional thinking would be that moving your hand in front of your face is an unnatural position, the fact is that in the context of Law 12, this is not deemed unnatural and therefore not considered deliberate. There should be no PK, no yellow cards or red cards, and play should simply continue, despite the outrage of the parents and coaches that a handball was not called.

Question 3 - This was the toughest question. Often, coaches and referees will apply their own interpretation which goes something like "the player made the mistake by mis-trapping the ball so when it inadvertently hit his hand and effectively fixed his mistake and worked to his advantage, it's a handball". While this may be intuitive, it is wrong. Law 12 is clear. The player did not deliberately handle the ball (a mis-trap that results in the ball bouncing up to his hand is not deliberate handling), the arm was in a normal position, and the player did not subsequently handle the ball after it hit his hand. The law is also clear that even though the ball hitting his hand worked to his advantage, "The fact that a player may benefit from the ball contacting the hand does not transform the otherwise accidental event into an infringement". The referee that did not call the handball in this scenario not only should be allowed to continue refereeing youth soccer, he should be promoted to the referee at the highest levels and should do training classes for other referees, because having the courage to make the right call despite violent parental, player, and coaching protests, a call that is completely counterintuitive, takes more fortitude than most referees care to hassle with.

So there you have it. I'm sure many will disagree, but Law 12 is pretty clear and the above are the right answers. Unfortunately, the handball infringement is called when it should not be way too often and is misunderstood way to much, even by coaches, referees, and TV commentators. My hope is that never again will I watch a game where a forward fires a shot in the penalty box which hits a defender's hand that is in a normal position 3 yards away (even if his hand is moved in front of his face to protect it), and the referee immediately blows the whistle and points to the penalty spot.