Handball in Football: When It Leads to a Penalty
Learn when a handball is penalized in football, when it may result in a penalty kick, and which situations are not considered infractions.
Handball foul in soccer: when it is a penalty and when it is not
What is a handball foul in soccer
The handball foul is one of the most debated situations in soccer.
Not every contact between the ball and a hand or arm is automatically an infraction. The referee must evaluate several elements established by the Laws of the Game.
When the handball foul is punished
A player can be sanctioned when they deliberately touch the ball with their hand or arm.
They can also be punished when the position of the arm makes the body unnaturally bigger and the contact with the ball falls within the regulatory cases.
What does making the body unnaturally bigger mean?
The position of the arms must be evaluated in relation to the movement of the player.
If a player keeps the arm very far from the body without that position being justified by natural movement, it increases the risk that any contact will be considered punishable.
Is every ball that hits the arm a foul?
No.
Simple contact with the arm does not automatically lead to awarding a free kick or penalty.
The referee must assess the dynamics of the action, the position of the arm, and the circumstances of the contact.
When a handball foul can lead to a penalty
If a defender commits a punishable handball inside their own penalty area, the referee can award a penalty kick.
The decision thus depends both on the nature of the infraction and on where it occurs.
Handball foul outside the area
If the same infraction happens outside the penalty area, normally a direct free kick is awarded.
A penalty is not awarded because the infraction occurred outside the area.
Does distance from the ball matter?
Distance can be one of the elements useful to evaluate the incident.
A ball kicked from very close distance may leave very little reaction time, but the final decision depends on the entire dynamics of the action.
Arm close to the body
When the arm is close to the body and in a natural position, contact with the ball may not be considered punishable.
However, the referee must evaluate the player's overall movement.
Arm away from the body
When the arm is very far from the body, it increases the possibility that the player is considered responsible for occupying more space unjustifiably.
This does not mean every wide arm automatically causes a foul, but it is an important element in evaluation.
Can the ball bounce first on the body?
Yes. Some situations involve the ball hitting another part of the body first, then the arm.
The presence of a bounce does not automatically make the contact legal or illegal: the full dynamics of the episode always count.
Handball foul by the attacker
There are specific rules for hand or arm touches by offensive players.
In particular, a goal cannot be scored directly with the hand or arm, even if the contact is accidental.
Other situations where contact immediately linked to scoring is evaluated according to specific rules may also exist.
Can a player score involuntarily with the hand?
No. A goal scored directly with the hand or arm cannot be validated.
This applies even if the contact is unintentional.
Handball foul and cards
Not every handball foul automatically results in a card.
Disciplinary sanction depends on the consequences of the action.
For example, a handball foul can lead to a caution or sending-off in certain situations, such as when it stops an important attack or prevents a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Handball on the goal line
If a player deliberately prevents a goal or a clear scoring chance with the hand or arm, very serious disciplinary consequences can follow.
The decision depends on the concrete situation and applicable rules.
Can the goalkeeper touch the ball with their hands?
The goalkeeper can use their hands inside their own penalty area, but even they have limitations.
For example, they cannot use their hands freely in every situation when receiving a pass from a teammate.
Can the goalkeeper commit a handball foul outside the area?
Yes.
Outside their penalty area, the goalkeeper is treated like any other player regarding hand use.
If they touch the ball irregularly with the hand or arm, they can be sanctioned.
Can VAR check a handball foul?
Yes, in competitions that use VAR.
The system can intervene when a possible handball is linked to important incidents covered by protocol, such as:
- a goal; - a possible penalty kick; - a possible direct sending-off.
Why decisions on handball are often contested
Many episodes require evaluating the arm position, player movement, and action dynamics.
For this reason, apparently similar situations can lead to different decisions if important details change.
How to follow incidents on Football17
On Football17 you can follow live results, goals, cards, penalties, events, and other information available during matches.
The match timeline allows quickly consulting main incidents when provided by the data source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every hand touch a foul?
No. Simple contact with the hand or arm does not automatically constitute a foul.
When is a handball foul a penalty?
When a defender commits a punishable hand infraction inside their own penalty area.
Does a wide arm always mean a penalty?
No. The arm position is among the evaluated elements, but the entire action dynamics must be considered.
Can you score directly involuntarily with the hand?
No. A goal scored directly with the hand or arm is not validated.
Can VAR check a handball foul?
Yes, when the incident falls within the categories established by the VAR protocol.
Can the goalkeeper use hands outside the area?
No. Outside their area, the goalkeeper is treated like other players regarding hand use.