Soccer is a game like no other. It is unique, in that the participants may not handle the object with which they are playing. Athe arms and hands are supposed to be used only for equilibrium, not to fend off opponents or control the ball.
When the the ball comes in contact with the arms or hands it is a "Hand Ball." However, much to the dismay of many, there is no such call. The Referees often use the term "hand ball" but only for expediency. The actual call is "handling." The very word "handling" denotes the commission of a deliberate and intentional act designed to accomplish one of three things:
An incidental hand ball, even if it results in the ultimate advantage of a goal, must not sway the referee's judgement. The mere fact that the fall comes into contact with the arms or hands means nothing unless the feree deems the act intentional. Then and only then is it a foul.
Understanding the age and skill level of the participants will help the feree form an opinion as to the intent of the act. An apparent "hand ball" that results from an obvious refelexive action to avoid injry bears careful examination and a healthy dose of commanon sense. Younger and less skilful players may react often by protecting their heads with their hands. However if a plays uses his/hers hand to cover up from a ball coming at then from 20 or 25 yards away, when he/she could have easily moved out of the way, they may be guilty of "handling."
Webster's Dictionay defines refelex action as an involuntary action, often unconscious, of certain muscles reacting to a partidular simulus. An involuntary and unconscious act can hardly be interpreted as intentional.
To penalize or not ot penalize, that is the question. Felling the temp of the match, the attitudes of the players, and the use of common sense go a long way toward a correct call. Ultimately the refee mus judge intent, not results.
© 1997 Francesco A. Scarsella, EMSOA Rules Interpreter