Fouls - Law 12
What is a handling (HANDBALL) Offense?
When we decide if the ball hitting a players hand is a handling offense we need to decide two things first followed with a third important decision at the end.
1 - Did the ball hit the player while their hands were inside the natural silhouette of body?
- Yes —> No Handball
-No —> Arms were outside the Silhouette - Go to #2
2 - If their arms were outside the “Natural Silhouette” of the body and the ball hit the arm, was it a natural movement for what the player was doing? Example - if you’re running your arms naturally move forward and backward.
- Yes —> Go to #3
- No —> Handball offense has been committed
3 - Did the player score a goal immediately after the ball touched their hand?
- Yes —> Handball offense has been committed
Where does the hand / arm begin?
The above picture shows a player in their natural position standing up.
Does it matter if the player hit the ball with their hand “On purpose”?
- No - As referees we don’t judge intent or what a player meant to do. We only judge the action.