Law 12·handball

Handball

Not every ball that hits a hand is handball. The hand must be in an unnatural position and the player must have made a deliberate choice to put it there — or it must have directly led to a goal.

The full rule

Handball is one of the most misunderstood rules in football. The key question is not whether the ball hit the hand, but whether the arm was in an unnatural position and whether it was deliberate. An arm raised to balance the body during a jump, or tucked close to the side, is generally not handball. An arm extended outward away from the body is. There is also a special rule for attacking situations: if a player scores directly after the ball touches their own hand or arm — even accidentally — it is disallowed.

Key points

✓Deliberate handball: the player chose to move their hand toward the ball
✓Unnatural position: arm extended away from body, making it bigger
✓Accidental handball in buildup to a goal: still disallowed if it directly leads to scoring
✓Arm close to body or raised naturally for balance: generally not handball
✓Defender clearing own ball that hits their own hand: not automatically a penalty

Scenarios

Teammate clearance deflects to hand

A defender heads the ball, it deflects off another defender's arm that is tucked close to their body.

Correct call: No handball. The arm was in a natural position and the player had no time to react.

Common mistake: Referees sometimes give a penalty because the ball hit the arm, without considering whether the arm position was unnatural.

Verdict:no-penalty

Attacker scores after ball hits own arm

A forward controls a cross, the ball bounces off their outstretched arm, and they score immediately after.

Correct call: Goal disallowed. Even if unintentional, an attacker cannot score directly after the ball touches their own arm.

Common mistake: Allowing the goal because the handball appeared accidental. Intent does not matter in this specific scenario.

Verdict:no-goal

Defender arm extended in wall

A player in a defensive wall jumps with arm raised above their head. The free kick hits that arm.

Correct call: Penalty. The arm is in an unnatural position — deliberately raised above shoulder height.

Common mistake: Ruling no handball because the player was jumping. The jump does not excuse the unnatural arm position.

Verdict:penalty