Hand-Ball - The myth explained.
How many times at a soccer match do we hear parents, coaches, or players yelling “That was a
hand ball!”? We’ve heard it too many times and it’s time for it to go away. Players at all levels
of soccer misunderstand what “hand-ball” or “handling” really is. This is where you- The
Referee- must step in and make the correct call.
Let’s first review what “handling” really is.
FIFA Laws of the Game ( aka LOTG) states the following:
It is illegal if a player "handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper
within his own penalty area)" This means that it is not a foul if the ball touches a
player's hand. It is only a foul if the player deliberately handles the ball.
Therefore, when a defender kicks the ball right into a player's hand or the ball bounces up and
hits a player’s arm, these are not fouls and should not be called. The rule book doesn’t say
anything about whether or not a player gains an advantage by the ball hitting his or her hand. In
other words, even if the ball were to hit a player's arm and drop right at his or her feet, these are
not fouls if they were unintentional. In 1996 FIFA specifically changed the laws regarding
“handling” to make it very clear that it is only a foul if the player handles the ball deliberately. A
good rule-of-thumb to use is if the player's hand/arm comes to the ball, it is a foul. If the ball
comes to the hand, it is not a foul. The arm is an extension of the hand and should be included
when you make the call.
A simple way to remember itHand - to - ball = foul (handling)
Ball - to - hand = no foul
Be in a good position to make the call. Center refs and AR’s must work together. Your decision
is final. Make the call with confidence and clarity!
DELIBERATE HANDLING 12.9 (Explained further)
The offense known as “handling the ball” involves deliberate contact with the ball by a player’s hand or arm (including
fingertips, 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 [emphasis added]. A player
infringes the Law regarding handling the ball even if direct contact is avoided by holding something in the hand (clothing,
shinguard, etc.).