Stop Doing This to Be a Better Soccer Parent Overnight

Last updated on December 15, 2024

Have you ever heard a soccer parent yell at the referee: “Ref, foul! Playing on the ground!”?

Yelling that proves to the ref and everyone else that the parent doesn’t know the rules.

You’re better than that. Let’s examine the issue.

Getting Directly to the Point

• Playing on the ground is not a foul in soccer.
• There is no foul in soccer called “playing on the ground.”
• Playing on the ground is allowed in soccer.

Think about it this way – everyone knows and agrees that a slide tackle is allowed, right? Everyone, then, knows that playing on the ground is allowed. Some people, however, insist on demonstrating their lack of knowledge. Not you. Let’s take a look at how a player might be called for a foul related to “playing on the ground.”

The Rule

The rules in soccer are called the Laws of the Game.

Law 12 governs “Fouls and Misconduct.”

Rule 12 says that a direct free kick can be awarded if a player “tackles or challenges” an opponent “in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force.”

Rule 12 also says that an indirect free kick is awarded if a player “plays in a dangerous manner.”

Rule 12 defined “playing in a dangerous manner” as “any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself) and includes prevent a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.”

In the case of a sliding tackle, the referee must determine whether the tackle is careless, reckless, or was done with excessive force. If not, the tackle is perfectly fine.

If a player is playing (or trying to play) the ball while on the ground it is not automatically a foul. The referee must determine whether the player is acting an a dangerous manner. If not, there is no foul. Even if there were a foul, it would not be for “playing on the ground,” it would be for “playing in a dangerous manner.”

Now, the next time you hear a soccer parent yell for a foul for “playing on the ground,” you can help educate. Please be gentle.