What Constitutes A "Hand Ball"?

One of the most misapplied calls is the "hand ball" call. Many think that if a ball touches a player on the hand or arm at ANY TIME it is automatically a hand ball - It isn't.

The RefBlog has a great write up on this and is recommended for all coaches and parents to read - click here to read it.

The rules are very clear on what constitutes a "hand ball", from Law 12 of "The Laws of the Game" on what is a direct kick foul -

"handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own goal area)"

The key word there is "deliberately". If a ball hits a player on the arm or hand, the referee is going to ask himself the question "Was that ball hitting hand or hand hitting ball?" If the referee thinks that it was the ball hitting the hand and the player did not touch the ball on purpose, then they will not make the call, because there was no foul.

Last season, one of my players tripped a fell down right in front of ball. The opposing player made a kicking move. My player covered her face to protect herself from the kick. The opposing player kicked the ball and it hit the back of my player's arm (covering her head). The referee did not call a hand ball and that was the correct call. Because my player was not deliberately trying to touch the ball, she was protecting herself from a kick and in the process the ball hit her.

So remember, the key word in a hand ball is "deliberate" action by the player. If there is no deliberate action by the player, there is no foul.