(07-29-2013 05:36 PM)randaddyminer Wrote:  When I was playing, I also officiated, the instruction on unintentional handballs was that you should make the call if you determined that a significant advantage was gained as a result of the handball. It doesn't follow the letter of the law, but it's the unwritten law players and officials have followed for years.

There are several unwritten laws that are part of the game, for example, what constitutes a dangerous play? What part of the arm constitutes a handball? when I always playing, I figured the laws were specifically written out, but they are not.

All of these are covered in Law 18, common sense. For example, why would a player deliberately handle the ball if they don't gain any advantage. I had one youth game where not one, but two players tagged the ball with their hands, but didn't even try to take advantage of it, so play on... It was a tough sell to parents, though...