Laws of the Game

11.0 How a Player may be Checked or Tackled

 

 

 

  
 

 

  

 

 
 
11.1 A player may be fairly met or checked by an opponent by the use of the hip, shoulder, chest, arms or open hand provided the ball is not more than five metres away.
   
11.2 A player may be pushed in the chest or side or shepherded by an opponent provided the ball is not more than five metres away.
   
11.3 A player in possession of the ball may fend off a prospective tackler by pushing him with an open hand in the chest, shoulder or side.
   
11.4 A player in possession of the ball may be tackled and grasped in the area below the top of the shoulders and on or above the knee. The tackle may be from front, side or behind provided that the tackle from behind does not thrust forward the player with the ball.
   
11.5 Procedures for administering this law are as follows:
11.5.1 A player in possession of the ball who has had a reasonable time (prior opportunity) to dispose of the ball must, when legally held by an opponent firmly enough to retard his progress, dispose of the ball by a kick or handball within a reasonable time of being held, otherwise a free kick shall be awarded against the player for failing to dispose of the ball in a legal manner.
11.5.2 The field umpire shall bounce the ball when the player with the ball has the ball held to his body by an opponent, unless the player has had a reasonable time to dispose of the ball prior to being tackled in which case a free kick shall be awarded for holding the ball.
 
11.5.3 A player who elects to dive on the ball and/or drag the ball under him when he is on the ground, will be penalised for holding the ball if he does not immediately hit the ball clear when held legally.
11.5.4 A player not in possession of the ball when held by an opponent, shall be awarded a free kick.
11.5.5 When a player claims a mark, the ball having been touched in transit, and retains possession when held by an opponent, the field umpire shall not award a free kick but bounce the ball if he is satisfied that the player did not hear his call of "Play On". But if the ball has been taken away from the player by another player, the field umpire's call "Play On" shall hold good.
11.5.6 The field umpire shall allow play to continue if a player in the act of kicking or handball, is swung off balance and his foot or hand does not connect with the ball.
11.5.7 The field umpire shall allow play to continue if a player is bumped and the ball falls from his hands.
11.5.8 The field umpire shall allow play to continue when a player's arm is knocked, causing him to drop the ball.
11.5.9 The field umpire shall allow play to continue if a player has his arms pinned to his sides causing him to drop the ball.
11.5.10 The field umpire shall allow play to continue if a player is pulled by one arm or swung causing the ball to fall from his hand.
 

 

 

  
 
< back
table of contents next >  
website by creativesenses