Fouls - Part 1

Most challenges for control of the ball are performed with the foot, simply by the nature of the game. Such a challenge is commonly known as a tackle, whether successful or not. All legal tackles are, by definition, directed at the ball. 

Other challenges may be performed with the head. (Jumping with an opposing player to head a ball in flight is often referred to as an aerial challenge). When challenging with the head, the ball is almost never under the control of any particular player, since it is almost always in the air.

Another type of challenge is known as a charge. It is performed by exerting pressure from the shoulder against the opponent’s shoulder in an attempt to dispossess him of the ball. It may or may not accompany a tackle. It is legal either way, provided that the player being so charged is in control of the ball or is also challenging for the ball (a loose ball on the ground or in the air). A charge against a player who is not playing the ball is a foul. The shoulder charge, by the way, MUST be directed toward the shoulder “area.” A charge to the spinal area can easily result in a caution or a send-off. (We’ll get to this subject in another column.)

So, to sum up, players generally contest opponents for control of the ball by a tackle, a charge, or an aerial challenge. All can be legal. In another column, I will discuss how each can become a foul. First, however, let’s talk about the different kind of fouls and the result of a whistle for them.

In general, fouls come in two major categories – direct free kick (DFK) fouls and indirect free kick (IFK) fouls. As you might imagine, the DFK fouls are the more serious and that category includes all the major physical contact transgressions – kicking, tripping, striking, pushing, and holding. The DFK fouls also include ATTEMPTS to perform those nefarious actions. Additionally on the list are spitting, handling the ball and couple of others, including tackling if done unfairly.

IFK fouls are rather more subtle. They include such offenses as playing in a dangerous manner (but obviously without the commission of one of the DFK fouls), impeding an opponent, and a variety of activities involving prohibited contacts with the ball by the goalkeeper in highly specific circumstances. Note that these two groups are the defined FOULS in the game and are not all inclusive of all infractions for which the referee may stop play. An offside offense and other infractions may stop play and produce an IFK, but they are not fouls. We’ll address offside in a separate column.

Players are allowed to keep their arms up and bent at the elbows to protect their ribcages. Pushing is using the arms in an extended position or motion. It is not allowed, but it is a natural instinct and usually goes both ways during a challenge. Leave it to the referee to decide what is legal and what is not.

Playing while on the ground is not a violation. Playing dangerously is. The younger the age of the players, the more likely referees will tend to equate the two when opposing players are involved, because young players do not typically have the level of skill to play from the ground without being dangerous. But it can happen. This is another judgment call.

Do you remember from the last column my mention of the goalkeeper laying on the ball or holding it with his feet? He does not have possession (remember my definition?) of the ball and he is placing himself in a position where other young players of potentially limited judgment and high excitability are likely to kick him. In my opinion, that is dangerous play which would result in an IFK for the opposing (attacking) team. Conversely, if the keeper HAS established possession with his hand, continued efforts to kick the ball by the opposing team would constitute a DFK foul of striking or attempting to strike. A kick which contacts the goalkeeper in such a situation, would likely result in at least a caution (yellow card), if not an immediate red card and the attacking player being sent off from the field. More on cards later.