Soccer Dangerous Play
Each sport utilizes its own unique set of rules to govern the game while ensuring the fairness of play and safety. Soccer is no different, with various rules in place to protect players, including types of fouls, misconduct, and other violations. A dangerous play is one of these actions classified as a foul in soccer.
Definition
A dangerous play includes any action on the field that the referee deems dangerous to oneself or another player, which can happen in various ways. It is up to the referee’s discretion to decide which plays are dangerous enough to rule a foul call. When a questionable action is committed, the referee will first consider whether it was done in a careless, reckless, or excessive manner, either intentionally or unintentionally.
When a player who has fallen to the ground attempts to kick the ball while surrounded by other players, it is often ruled a dangerous play in soccer. However, if there are no surrounding players, this action is allowed. A high kick is another unique example of something that could be called a dangerous play, depending on the distance between the other players on the field. If one player attempts to head the ball while it is high in the air, and another attempts to kick the ball at the same time, referees can call a dangerous play on the high-kicking player.
While these are some of the more noteworthy examples of dangerous play in soccer, there are numerous other instances throughout a soccer match that could be deemed dangerous plays. These are among the hardest calls for referees to make but are critical to preventing malpractices that could lead to injury.
Result
When a dangerous play is committed in a soccer match, the violation results in an indirect free kick for the opposing team of the player that committed the foul. The indirect kick will be taken from the spot of the foul. An indirect free kick is awarded to a team when a player commits a prohibited action in a way that makes the referee believe it was careless, reckless, or dangerous but does not make contact with the opponent.
Referee Signal
When a dangerous play is called in a soccer match, the referee typically blows their whistle to stop play and signals a direct free kick, which is done by pointing with a raised arm toward the offending team’s goal. While direct and indirect free kicks are similar in the way the referee signals them, the main difference between the two is that the referee raises his arm for an indirect free kick instead of pointing at the offending team’s goal, like for a direct free kick.
Examples
- Two players going for a ball at the same time, but one of them tries to attack headfirst below the waist
- One player going for a header and the other trying to kick the ball high in the air
- Kicking the ball from the ground with other players surrounding the play
- Two players going for a ball from opposite directions, and one of them attacks with their cleats exposed facing upwards
- Jumping into a slide tackle
Helpful Links
Similar Fouls to Dangerous Play
- Charging
- Jumping at an Opponent
- Pushing
- Striking an Opponent
FAQ
What is a dangerous play in soccer?
A dangerous play in soccer is a foul that results from a player committing an action that is deemed dangerous to themselves or another player on the field. The judgment of this call is up to the referee’s discretion, but common examples include playing on the ground, high kicks, or exposing cleats to a player when attempting a tackle. The result of committing a dangerous play is an indirect free kick awarded by the official after a stoppage of play.
What are the consequences of a dangerous play in soccer?
The punishment for committing a dangerous play in soccer is an indirect free kick. However, some instances can result in a cautionable offense if the offending player injures another player in the process of moving or behaving in a dangerous or reckless manner. A common example of a dangerous play that could result in injury, and subsequently an indirect free kick, is a high kick.
What are some examples of dangerous plays in soccer?
There are various actions a player can do on the pitch that will result in a dangerous play call from the referee. For example, one instance of dangerous play in soccer is when a player on the ground kicks the ball while opposing players are within the vicinity. Other examples of a dangerous play foul include performing a high kick when the offending player is in front of an opponent who is also attempting to play the ball, or attempting to kick the ball while an opponent is also attempting to head the ball.