Playing on the Ground

Players who have any part of their body, other than their feet, touching the ground must not interfere with the game whether intentionally or not.

Players may not make sliding tackles of any kind, even if at the point of contact with the ball they are not Playing-on-the-Ground.

If the act of playing the ball causes a player subsequently to be on-the-ground, this is not a case of Playing-on-the-ground. In cases of bicycle or overhead kicks, the umpire is to decide not about Playing-on-the-ground but rather whether the play was dangerous. See C-1-4.

If a defender intentionally plays-on-the-ground when the ball is between the goal-line and the adjacent 3-yard line, the umpire should award a Penalty-point and a Free-kick to the attacking team (see J1-7). If a defender prevents a Goal from being scored by playing on the ground, the umpire should award a Penalty-goal (see K(b) 1-2).