Often in game players, coaches and spectators will shout “Hands Ref” when the ball comes into contact with the hands and arm of a player.

The first thing is to understand that a good guide to the arm of a player is where the sleeve of the shirt is sewn to the body of the shirt for often confusion arises when the ball comes into contact with the shoulder.
 

Football of course is a game where players are constantly moving their hands and arms as a natural part of their movement, in deciding if a player is handling the ball DELIBERATELY, it is essential to consider the following points.
 

Was ity a hand to ball situation or ball to hand?
 

Are the player's hands or arms in a “natural" position?
 

Does the player want to “make himself bigger” by using his arms?
 

Does the player try to avoid the ball striking his hand?
 

What was the distance the ball traveled before striking his/her hand? 
 

Is the player able to avoid the ball striking his/her hand?
 

Does he/she use the hand or arm to intentionally touch the ball?
 

Referees should also consider possible additional circumstances and consequences, e.g. How and where did the offence occur (stopped a promising attack? (Yellow card)or Denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity (red card) these sanctions must then be punished to comply with the Laws of the Game.

 

I hope that this article achieves a better understanding of the Law