Meaning & use
hand ball in soccer
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
An offense in soccer when a player other than the goalkeeper deliberately touches the ball with their hand or arm.
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase; often appears after 'a' or 'the' and with verbs like 'commit' or 'call'.
Patterns
- commit a hand ball
- call a hand ball
- be penalized for a hand ball
The referee awarded a free kick for a hand ball in soccer.
He was sent off after a deliberate hand ball in soccer.
The defender protested, but the hand ball in soccer was clear on the replay.
phrasefixed phrase
The rule in soccer that forbids players (except the goalkeeper in their own penalty area) from touching the ball with their hands or arms.
Grammar: Often used with 'the' when referring to the rule itself, as in 'the hand ball in soccer rule'.
Patterns
- the hand ball in soccer rule
- understand the hand ball in soccer rule
New players often struggle to understand the hand ball in soccer rule.
The hand ball in soccer rule was updated to clarify what counts as unnatural arm position.
Coaches explain the hand ball in soccer rule before every season.
Common combinations
- deliberate hand ball
- The referee only calls a deliberate hand ball, not an accidental one.
- hand ball in the penalty area
- A hand ball in the penalty area often leads to a penalty kick.
- be guilty of a hand ball
- The midfielder was guilty of a hand ball just outside the box.
- hand ball offense
- The hand ball offense gave the other team a free kick.
Synonyms and how they differ
- handling
- A more formal term used in the official rules; 'hand ball' is the everyday term fans and players use.
Commonly confused: hand ball in soccer or handball?
hand ball in soccer vs handball
One word, 'handball', is a different sport played with the hands. In soccer, always write 'hand ball' as two words.
Practice
Which sentence correctly uses the term for the soccer offense?
Choose one answer.
The correct phrase is 'a hand ball in soccer' (two words, preposition 'in'). Option 1 uses 'handball' (one word), which refers to a different sport. Option 3 uses 'on' instead of 'in', and option 4 uses 'for', which does not fit the standard phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hand ball in soccer”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.