Handball Explained: When is it a Foul?

Handball Offences: Understanding Law 12

Handball incidents are one of the most debated and challenging aspects of refereeing. It's crucial to understand Law 12 of the Laws of the Game to consistently and accurately determine when handling the ball constitutes an offence.

Key Takeaways:

* Handling the ball is only an offence if it's deliberate, makes the body unnaturally bigger, or is the result of an avoidable hand/arm position after a deflection.

* The position of the hand/arm is key, but proximity to the ball and the player's movement are also considered.

* Not every touch of the ball with a hand or arm is a handball offence.

Deliberate Handling: The Foundation of the Rule

The cornerstone of the handball rule is deliberateness. A player commits an offence if they deliberately touch the ball with their hand or arm. This means the player intended to make contact with the ball using their hand or arm.

Determining Deliberateness

Assessing deliberateness can be tricky, but referees must consider the following factors:

* Movement of the Hand/Arm Towards the Ball: Did the player move their hand or arm towards the ball, or did the ball move towards their hand/arm?

* Distance Between Opponent and Ball: Was the opponent close enough that the player had little time to react?

* Nature of the Action: Was the player's hand/arm in a natural position for their movement, or was it extended away from their body?

* Expectation: Would a reasonable player expect the ball to hit their hand/arm in that circumstance?

Example: A defender is standing a few metres away from an attacker who shoots powerfully. The ball hits the defender's arm, which is close to their body. This is unlikely to be a handball offence because the defender had little time to react, and the arm was in a natural position.

Example: A player extends their arm out to the side while jumping for a header. The ball hits their outstretched arm. This is more likely to be a handball offence because the player made their body unnaturally bigger.

Unnatural Body Enlargement: A Key Consideration

Even if the handling isn't deliberate, an offence occurs if the player makes their body "unnaturally bigger." This is a relatively recent addition to the Laws of the Game and aims to prevent players from using their arms to unfairly block the ball.

Defining "Unnaturally Bigger"

A player is considered to have made their body "unnaturally bigger" when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of the hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised.

Example: A player is running down the wing with their arms swinging naturally. The ball is passed to them, and it hits their arm. This is unlikely to be a handball offence because the arm position is a natural consequence of their running movement.

Example: A defender slides in to block a shot and extends their arm out to the side. The ball hits their outstretched arm. This is more likely to be a handball offence because the arm position is not a natural consequence of the sliding motion and makes their body bigger.

Justifiable Use of Hands/Arms

There are situations where using your hands or arms is considered justifiable, and therefore not an offence.

Natural Movement and Balance

Players can use their arms for balance, jumping, or general movement. If the ball accidentally hits an arm in a natural position during these actions, it's generally not a handball offence.

Example: A player jumps for a header with their arms slightly raised for balance. The ball hits their arm. This is unlikely to be a handball offence, provided the arms are not extended excessively away from the body.

Protecting Yourself

Players are allowed to use their arms to protect themselves from injury, provided the arm is close to the body and doesn't make the body unnaturally bigger.

Example: A player turns their back to shield the ball and raises their arms to protect their head. The ball hits their arm. This is unlikely to be a handball offence, provided the arms are close to the body.

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