Question Number: 23476

Law 4 - Players Equipment 6/15/2010

RE: Competive Under 15

Joe Johnson of chicago, USA asks...

In a recent match a girl on the opposing team had chalk under her shirt which she use to help dry the ball on her throw-ins. She would put the ball and her hands under her shirt to dry it prior to the throw-in. She had a powerful flip throw-in and having a dry ball was an advantage. Is the use of chalk permitted?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Wow..never heard this one before. I am going to say no here. Chalk is not listed as part of the uniform in law 2. One could also argue that she is delaying the game by wiping the chalk on her hands. I am interested in what my fellow colleagues say on this one.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It's always sump'n...

It would seem to me that her belly would soon turn into a sticky mess of wetted down chalk. Ugh. Unless she's got it in some kind of container, which would be potentially dangerous equipment.

There have been times when a team wanted to use a towel to dry the ball. Generally that would be allowed only if the team made the towel available to the opposition as well. So unless she wants the opposing thrower to grope under her shirt for the chalk ...

Seriously, I agree with Ref Mueller that it is at least delaying the restart, and probably the use of chalk could be deemed non-standard equipment. Like stick'm isn't allowed on the goalkeeper's gloves.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Just when you thought......... I'd agree with my compadres here. If the chalk gives an unfair advantage to one team it should not be allowed.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Artificial aids are not allowed, and chalk could definitely fall into this category. Figuring out how to get the girl to show me she is NOT using chalk is what is stressing.