1. No Hands Allowed
Perhaps the one thing everyone knows about soccer is that the use of hands is not allowed. There are exceptions, of course. Field players throw the ball back into play by launching the ball over their heads. Goalkeepers can use their hands as long as they remain inside the 18-yard box. However, if a goalie picks up the ball outside of the 18-yard box, a handball penalty will be handed out as if a field player scooped up the ball.
2. The Best of Intentions
Hand balls are bound to happen. The way the ball bounces can be unpredictable. It's not unusual for a player's hand to get in the way while trying to control a rogue ball. Usually, these instances are not penalties. Referees take the player's intent into consideration when calling hand balls. If a player accidentally touches the ball with his or her hand, and the ball remains out of control, the referee will likely let it slide. Similarly, a referee shouldn't call a foul on a player protecting his groin from a ball.
3. Possession Presides
A hand ball is not a penalty if the team who committed the foul doesn't get possession of the ball as a direct result of the hand ball. If a player's hand comes into contact with the ball, whether intentionally or accidentally, it's best to step back and let the other team touch the ball before attempting to regain possession. This tactic is generally less dangerous than giving the other team a direct free kick, in which the opposing players have time to get into possession and think about where to play the ball.
4. Anatomy of a Foul
The term "hand ball" is misleading. A penalty can be called if a player uses his or her wrist, arm or shoulder to control the ball. The use of a shoulder is a judgment call by the referee as it can be tough to distinguish if a player has used the chest or shoulder to bring a ball down from the air.
5. The Damage
The severity of a hand ball penalty depends on the league. Younger players should expect a penalty kick, where all the players are cleared out of the 18-yard box and a player from the fouled team shoots the ball, if the infraction occurs inside the 18-yard box. If the foul occurs outside of the 18-yard box, a direct free kick will likely be awarded, meaning the ball does not have to touch another player before being shot on goal. Older players could be given a yellow card if they intentionally touch the ball with their hands outside of the 18-yard box. A red card, and therefore ejection from the game, will likely be handed out if a player uses his or her hands to prevent a goal.
Perhaps the one thing everyone knows about soccer is that the use of hands is not allowed. There are exceptions, of course. Field players throw the ball back into play by launching the ball over their heads. Goalkeepers can use their hands as long as they remain inside the 18-yard box. However, if a goalie picks up the ball outside of the 18-yard box, a handball penalty will be handed out as if a field player scooped up the ball.
2. The Best of Intentions
Hand balls are bound to happen. The way the ball bounces can be unpredictable. It's not unusual for a player's hand to get in the way while trying to control a rogue ball. Usually, these instances are not penalties. Referees take the player's intent into consideration when calling hand balls. If a player accidentally touches the ball with his or her hand, and the ball remains out of control, the referee will likely let it slide. Similarly, a referee shouldn't call a foul on a player protecting his groin from a ball.
3. Possession Presides
A hand ball is not a penalty if the team who committed the foul doesn't get possession of the ball as a direct result of the hand ball. If a player's hand comes into contact with the ball, whether intentionally or accidentally, it's best to step back and let the other team touch the ball before attempting to regain possession. This tactic is generally less dangerous than giving the other team a direct free kick, in which the opposing players have time to get into possession and think about where to play the ball.
4. Anatomy of a Foul
The term "hand ball" is misleading. A penalty can be called if a player uses his or her wrist, arm or shoulder to control the ball. The use of a shoulder is a judgment call by the referee as it can be tough to distinguish if a player has used the chest or shoulder to bring a ball down from the air.
5. The Damage
The severity of a hand ball penalty depends on the league. Younger players should expect a penalty kick, where all the players are cleared out of the 18-yard box and a player from the fouled team shoots the ball, if the infraction occurs inside the 18-yard box. If the foul occurs outside of the 18-yard box, a direct free kick will likely be awarded, meaning the ball does not have to touch another player before being shot on goal. Older players could be given a yellow card if they intentionally touch the ball with their hands outside of the 18-yard box. A red card, and therefore ejection from the game, will likely be handed out if a player uses his or her hands to prevent a goal.
