the term “Hand Ball” is
commonly used, but is not defined in the
official FIFA rules. It is a “direct kick foul”
if a player (other than the goalkeeper
inside his own penalty area) deliberately handles the ball (meaning to deliberately touch the ball with any part of the arm from the finger tips to the
top of the shoulder). If the player handles
it for the purpose of preventing an
opponent from gaining possession, it is a
“cautionable offense” and a yellow card
should be given. If a player deliberately handles the ball to deny an obvious goal
scoring opportunity (e.g., to prevent a
breakaway or to deliberately stop a shot),
a red card should be given and the player
“sent off”. However, a hand ball foul
should not be called if: (1) a player is instinctively trying to protect himself from
injury or (2) the player did not
deliberately touch the ball but the ball hit
his arm & he did not move the arm toward
the ball (however, if the player’s arms
were in an unnatural position such as above his shoulders or sticking out to the
sides, then he should be called for a
handball).