Soccer Referee Resources
Home
Ask a Question
Articles
Recent Questions
Search

You-Call-It
Previous You-Call-It's

VAR (Video Assistant Referee)

Q&A Quick Search
The Field of Play
The Ball
The Players
The Players Equipment
The Referee
The Other Match Officials
The Duration of the Match
The Start and Restart of Play
The Ball In and Out of Play
Determining the Outcome of a Match
Offside
Fouls and Misconduct
Free Kicks
Penalty kick
Throw In
Goal Kick
Corner Kick


Common Sense
Kicks - Penalty Mark
The Technical Area
The Fourth Official
Pre-Game
Fitness
Mechanics
Attitude and Control
League Specific
High School


Common Acronyms
Meet The Ref
Advertise
Contact AskTheRef
Help Wanted
About AskTheRef


Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


Panel Login

Question Number: 35127

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/30/2023

RE: Adult

Mühenned Elseyho of Onikisubat, Kahramanmara Turkey asks...

The attacker shoots the ball while it is at arm's height above the ground, and at this moment the defender steps in with the bottom of his shoe and just touches the ball, trying to prevent him from shooting. Is this behavior considered a mistake?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mühenned
Raised boots are always difficult decisions. Raised boots with studs showing runs a high risk of an offence if the player makes contact with an opponent who is trying to take a shot in a raised ball situation.
Each situation will be different and the referee has to decide what happened. A raised boot with the studs showing towards the ball will certainly look risky and very likely to be called even playing in a dangerous manner.



Read other questions answered by Referee Joe McHugh

View Referee Joe McHugh profile

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mühenned,
raised stiff legged studs up challenges particularly when jumping into or moving towards an opponent have a high degree of high risk low reward. Defenders do what it takes to block a shot and in context you can often see that the ball is sought not the opponent. Yet they can not block the shot by coming over the ball and grinding studs into the opponents' ankles or shins in what we call an over the top challenge, that rarely ends well . Injuries red cards send offs! sigh! . You can make an iffy challenge, catch all ball and hopefully no contact occurs. It is often a foot to foot or foot to leg contact on the follow through where such tackles are scrutinized for who is at fault, kicking into or arriving late to the party!
Cheers



Read other questions answered by Referee Richard Dawson

View Referee Richard Dawson profile

Ask a Follow Up Question to Q# 35127
Read other Q & A regarding Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 35132

Soccer Referee Extras

Did you Ask the Ref? Find your answer here.


Enter Question Number

If you received a response regarding a submitted question enter your question number above to find the answer




Offside Question?

Offside Explained by Chuck Fleischer & Richard Dawson, Former & Current Editor of AskTheRef

<>
This web site and the answers to these questions are not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The free opinions expressed on this site should not be considered official interpretations of the Laws of the Game and are merely opinions of AskTheRef and our panel members. If you need an official ruling you should contact your state or local representative through your club or league. On AskTheRef your questions are answered by a panel of licensed referees. See Meet The Ref for details about our panel members. While there is no charge for asking the questions, donation to maintain the site are welcomed! <>