Attempted hand ball...

[Sagy]

The following happened at a U12 game this weekend. The questions are not about what should be done at the U12 level but how should a similar situations be handled at higher levels.

About five min into the game a red team player kicks the ball up field (half pass/half clear) the ball is about 5 feet off the ground and one a white player (mid-fielder) jumps towards the ball and clearly tries to stop it with his right hand, he just missed hitting the ball (by no more than an inch or two). I turned to one of the other dads and told him that when I was playing (many many years ago) my coach told me that an intentional attempt to reach for the ball with your hand will get you a yellow card for USB if you missed the ball. His reason was that if you did it once you are likely to do it again and the second time the ref might not see it.

The other parent stated that there is nothing wrong with attempting to reach for the ball with your hand, as long as you don't touch it, no violation has been committed and the referee should take no action. As soon as he finished saying this a white player crosses the ball into the box and the same mid-fielder knocks the ball towards the red goal with his hand. The ref didn't see this one since he was behind the play and there were two/three taller kids between him and the mid-fielder (I guess my old coach did know something ;). Red goalie saved the "shot" so there was no harm in this case.

My questions are:
What should a referee do in cases of attempted hand ball?
How about in cases when a player tries to trip an opponent from behind and the opponent is "too quick" and the attempt at tripping fails?
Are there any cases in which an attempt at a violation should get you a yellow card?

Thanks,

Sagy

[Red Star]

Attempting to strike an opponent come to mind.

[refmike]

Law 12 is very clear on this one.

Kicking OR ATTEMPTING TO KICK
Tripping OR ATTEMPTING TO TRIP
Striking OR ATTEMPTING TO STRIKE

These three are the only FOULS in which an attempt is punishable.
The punishment for a foul is a free kick, not a card.

Under the MISCONDUCT column, an attempted strike is considered violent behaviour (serious foul play or violent conduct) as is sptting AT someone (it does not say spitting on someone) and they are send-off offenses, not cautions.

Attempting to handle the ball could be considered Unsporting Behavour and worth a caution but it usually is not. It certianly is not given as an example of USB that I have ever seen.

In my opinion, the ref should note the attempt and keep an eye on this player so should have been ready to call the later actual handling offense but no call of any type is required for the attempt.

[Statesman]

No need to flash cards on "attempted handling." This is done all the time lackadaisically by players on keeper clearances and whatnot. If it is a legitimate attempt at handling the referee should have a word with the player and keep an eye for future violations. Also of note is that attempting to score by handling the ball is considered a cautionable offense had the player been caught in this example.

[Ref Flunkie]

No need to flash cards on "attempted handling." This is done all the time lackadaisically by players on keeper clearances and whatnot. If it is a legitimate attempt at handling the referee should have a word with the player and keep an eye for future violations. Also of note is that attempting to score by handling the ball is considered a cautionable offense had the player been caught in this example.

Yeah and this is even more of a non-issue in the younger age groups since you know they are doing it more as a reaction then trying to be clever or devious...especially if they are in the open and there is no rhyme or reason for it. Another place where an "obvious handling" may be cautioned, in addition to scoring a goal, is if it is done as a technical foul to stop a counter attack or something like that.

[jkc313]

Refmike sums it up. Never has been a foul called attempting to handle the ball and, I don't believe, any such misconduct

[HoldenMan]

I don't see any reason to caution. Perhaps a word of warning to the player though.

As for attempts that are cautionable? Certainly!

I've cautioned players for very late slide tackles that the player only just avoided (usually it's the kind of tackle that would be ar ed if contact was made, but not always). not to mention attempts at kicking and striking - if they're deliberate acts of retaliation or aggression I think you'll always want to caution those (and yes, you can RC even for an attempt!)

As for the tackle from behind if the player stays on his feet, it's up to you. Same as any tackle. Caution at the next stoppage if you want. Don't do anything. Depends on the situation. Again, you can always card the attempt, although you probably wouldn't unless

1)the player had been persistently infringing
2)the player had made several attempts to trip from behind in the same play (a word may also suffice)
3)it was absolutely blatant and never had a chance at the ball

[jkc313]

[QUOTE=HoldenMan]I don't see any reason to caution. Perhaps a word of warning to the player though.

As for attempts that are cautionable? Certainly!

But not for handling. You can't caution someone for attempting to handle the ball. It's not a foul or misconduct. Attempting to kick, or strike, or trip sure. Someone takes a swing at an opponent and off they go even if they miss.But not if they swing at the ball