MISUNDERSTOOD RULES, REFEREE CALLS & NON-CALLS

HANDBALLS

Rule [12] Section 2 Handling

[A player shall be penalized for deliberately handling, carrying, striking, or propelling the ball with a hand or arm.]

In the opinion of the referee, if the ball plays the player or the player has no time to deliberately handle the ball, there is no call because there is no foul. Incidental contact is no a handball foul.

OFFSIDES

Rule [11] Section 1

[A player is in an offside position when nearer to his/her opponents goal line that the ball unless.]

            A. the player is in his/her own half of the field of play or

            B. the player is not nearer to the opponent’s goal line that at least two opponents.

A player shall not be penalized for being in an offside position if the ball is received directly for a goal kick, corner kick, or throw in.

It is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position. A player shall only be penalized fro being in an offside position, if at the moment the ball touches or is played by a teammate, that player is involved in active play by interfering with play or with an opponent or gaining an advantage by being in that position.

In the opinion of the referee, the player who is in an offside position at the ball is played by a teammate is only penalized when they become involved with play or obstruct an opponent. A player can be called offside on the second touch after a corner kick, throw in, or goal kick. A player can also be called offside if they come back onsides to play the ball even in their defensive half of the field. A player can also be called offside on any free kick in the attacking end.

“NO CALLS” BY REFEREES

Advantage

Advantage is when a foul is commented that would penalize the attacking team from an opportunity to score a goal or prevent them from that opportunity.

If you hear or see a referee say, “play on”, they have seen a foul, but are not taking the advantage away from at attacking team.

Player Contact

Soccer is a contact sport. Accidental tripping while playing the ball is not a foul. Pushing or shoving with arms extended is a foul. Body contact is not a foul and is a part of soccer.

Injured Player on the field

The rules of soccer due not provided for stop of play because a player is “down” on the field. Many referees with not stop play unless it is obviously a serious injury. This often upsets parents and will often result in a yellow card if you walk onto the field. I teach our team members to kick the ball out of bounds with a downed player. Please let the coaches handle the situation. We will call you onto the field if necessary.