Tackling –Holding the Ball
Introduction – Holding the Ball
Understanding the philosophy behind paying free kicks
will help the umpire in applying the laws correctly.
Positioning is crucial to correct decision making and the
laws of legal contact must be applied before paying a
free kick for holding the ball.
Introduction – Holding the Ball
• Question
What is the first consideration when adjudicating Holding the Ball?
• Answer
Is the Player being tackled in possession of the ball
• Question
What is a legal tackle?
• Answer
Above the knees, below the shoulder, no push in the back and player
must have possession of the ball
What are the four types of Holding the Ball?
• Prior Opportunity
• No Prior Opportunity
• Diving on the Ball
• Illegal Disposal
Spirit of the Law – Prior Opportunity
Where a player has had possession of the
ball and has had prior opportunity to
dispose and is then correctly tackled by an
opponent they must immediately and
successfully kick or handball the ball.
Prior Opportunity - Considerations
• Is the player in Possession
• Was the tackle Legal
• Did the player have prior opportunity
• Did the player dispose correctly by hand or foot
Holding the Ball – Prior Opportunity
What is considered prior opportunity?
The player should have had a clear chance to kick or
handball and/or the player takes on his opponent
What if the umpire is unsure whether the player has had
prior opportunity or not?
The umpire shall give the player the benefit of the doubt
and adjudicate as no prior opportunity
What happens if a player has the ball and drives his head into
a stationary opponent?
No free kick and the player with the ball is deemed to
have had prior opportunity
Spirit of the Law – No Prior Opportunity
The player who has had possession of the
ball and has not had prior opportunity, and
is then correctly tackled by an opponent,
shall be given a reasonable opportunity to
demonstrate a genuine attempt to kick or
handball.
No Prior Opportunity - Considerations
• Is the player in Possession
• Was the tackle Legal
• Did the player have no prior opportunity
• Did the player attempt to kick or handball the football
Holding the Ball – No Prior Opportunity
What should the umpire do when a player hasn’t had prior opportunity
and the ball is trapped with no possibility of releasing the football?
Call for a ball up quickly
Is it holding the ball when a player who is in possession of the football
puts his hands in the air while his opponent is holding the ball to him?
Yes. There is no genuine attempt to dispose of the football
Is it holding the ball if a player who hasn’t had prior opportunity and is
legally tackled, attempts to kick the football but misses?
Play on as the player attempted to dispose of the football
Spirit of the Law – Diving on the Ball
Where a player elects to dive on the ball or
elects to drag the ball underneath their
body and is correctly tackled, the player is
to be penalised for holding the ball if they
fail to knock the ball clear or dispose of it
immediately.
Spirit of the Law – Illegal Disposal
The player who has possession of the ball
and drops, throws or places the ball on the
ground without making a genuine attempt
to handball or kick will be penalised.
Diving on the Ball/Illegal Disposal
What must a player do if they dive on the ball or drag it in?
Knock the ball clear or correctly dispose
What happens when a player, after diving on the ball, is
unable to move he ball on as they have ben tackled by
multiple players and the football is locked in?
Holding the ball
Summary – Holding the Ball
The umpire should ensure tackles are legal before
paying holding the ball and they should have a clear
understanding of the processes for adjudicating holding
the ball to ensure consistency.