Question Number: 22890

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/3/2010

RE: Under 13

Peter of South Pasadena, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 102697

A player who is lying on the ground kicks the ball. What is the restart?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Playing the ball from the ground isn't an offence, despite a myth to the contrary. After all, how is it fair to take a player out of the game simply because he's lost his footing? Also, is there anything particularly dangerous about a player kicking the ball from the ground?

The answer to both is 'no' - also, there's nothing mentioned in the laws of the game about it.

Also, what's a slide tackle, if it isn't playing the ball from the ground?

Assuming no other foul has been committed, there is no problem with kicking the ball while lying on the ground. If he kicks or trips an opponent while doing so (direct free kick), or otherwise plays in a dangerous manner, when there may be a foul. Similarly, if he is guilty of trapping the ball beneath him or between his legs for an unreasonably long time and preventing the opposition from playing the ball (unless the opposition are preventing him from releasing the ball) then he may be guilty of playing in a dangerous manner (which is an indirect free kick restart).

But generally speaking, there is nothing wrong with a player kicking the ball while lying on the ground.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

There's no prohibition against kicking the ball while on the ground. Same is true for high kicks. Remember that ANY foul HAS to be committed against an opponent and merely kicking the ball while on the ground can't be a foul.
There is an indirect free kick foul called Playing In A Dangerous Manner.
3 things have to happen for this to be called
1. The action must be dangerous even if just to the player committing the action
2. An opponent must be nearby
3. An opponent must somehow be disadvantaged by the action

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

While the following has been alluded to I would like to elaborate just a bit. The most significant aspect of this particular manner of play is that the player who is on the ground is most of the time putting THEMSELVES in a dangerous position. Imagine a player on the ground with his leg outstretched with players all around him kicking at the ball as well. This is just a recipe for mayhem and an injury as the player on the ground is not able to move as easily, get out of the way, etc. So the fundamental question you should ask on something like this is was anybody placed into a dangerous situation by this player's actions. Take away the opponents and, of course, you don't have an issue because nobody's safety is being compromised. It's one of those 'it all depends' kind of situations. All the best,

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Pete
If the referee deems that a player while lying on the ground has endangered his safety by trying to play the ball or prevented an opponent from playing the ball due to the risk of kicking then that is playing in a dangerous manner and the restart is an indirect free kick.