Old, But Worth Revisiting

[JugglingReferee]

Great link, Fan10. Thanks!

[dumbref]

What if the the same thing occured on a free kick that has already touched the ground? Legal?

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by dumbref

What if the the same thing occured on a free kick that has already touched the ground? Legal?

REPLY: No, since it's not legal to bat a grounded kick. And I think that what we've determined is that since the 'batter' has not completed his recovery, he cannot have player possession and therefore his actions cannot be construed to be a pass since a pass presupposes possession. Are you thinking the same way?

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: No, since it's not legal to bat a grounded kick. And I think that what we've determined is that since the 'batter' has not completed his recovery, he cannot have player possession and therefore his actions cannot be construed to be a pass since a pass presupposes possession. Are you thinking the same way?

But it might not satisfy the definition of "bat" either. Is it defined in terms of striking the ball? If you infer an attempt to gain possession by that player, it might be a muff, but you'd probably infer more of an intention to direct the ball than to personally gain possession of it.

Robert

[dumbref]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: No, since it's not legal to bat a grounded kick. And I think that what we've determined is that since the 'batter' has not completed his recovery, he cannot have player possession and therefore his actions cannot be construed to be a pass since a pass presupposes possession. Are you thinking the same way?

The problem is - it does not exactly fit the definition of an illegal bat. It's not a strike or a slap of the ball. No doubt it is intentional but that is the only criteria that fits. K certainly has the right to gain possession of a grounded free kick (making the assumption it has been ten yards). It can not be an illegal pass - I'm having a hard time seeing this as anything but a good play by K if they catch or recover in the field of play.