When most people think of soccer, they think of kicking a ball and a sport played with the feet. Anyone who has played at an elite level knows that the arms also play an important role. The arms help to maintain balance as well as provide leverage for players when they are shielding or running with the ball under pressure. They can also be used when trying to turn under the pressure of an opponent.

Balance
When preparing to receive the ball, a player can use the arms for balance. By spreading out the arms the player can also use them to gather information. By "feeling" for opponents, the player can tell if there is an opponent close on his left or right without having to look.

Shielding
When under heavy pressure by an opponent with little space to move a player will have to shield the ball. The arms play a major part in the ability of the player to maintain possession. By spreading the arms to the side a player can make it difficult for the opponent to run around him and poke away the ball. Again the arms can "feel" where the opponent is standing and give the player information to which side he can turn safely.

Running with the ball
When running under heavy pressure by an opponent, the player can use the arms to try and "swim" past the opponent. The player tries to get his arm above the opponents arm and pushes backward in a similar motion to the breast stroke in swimming. This techniques uses the opponents momentum to push the player forward. A player may have to "swim" several times as the opponent will also be jockeying for position and trying to get his arm above the players.

Turning the defender
When a defender pushes tight against the players back, the arms can be used to "turn" the defender. The player reaches back and hooks the defender. As the player turns the defender is locked in behind the players back making it very difficult for him to tackle. When done properly the player can turn 180° and quickly move away from the defender in the opposite direction.

Foul?
It is well within the rules of the game for a player to use the arms. A player may not grab an opponent, push an opponent or elbow him. This is a foul and should be called by the referee. Problems arise at the younger age groups when inexperienced referees call kids for fouls that are not fouls. When shielding the ball players are often called for using the arms even though they are not elbowing or pushing the opponent. Do not confuse "pushing" with "leveraging" or "leaning" on an opponent. A player is allowed to stand their ground and hold their position. In order to maintain balance a player will often have to lean on the opponent who is pushing up against them. Referees see this as aggressive play when in actuality it is good technique. Players should be encouraged to play aggressively. Aggression does not necessarily equal dirty play. When referees call young players for this kind of play it severely hinders the development of players. They acquire bad habits and are afraid to use the arms for fear of being called for a foul. Players are unable to effectively maintain possession of the ball and frequently give it away. This makes for poor un-entertaining soccer in which the ball frequently changes possession and turns into a kick and run game. This will also severely hinder the player as they advance to higher levels of the game and are unable to deal with heavier pressure by better opponents due to lack of affective practice through proper technique.

This is a foul

This is a foul

This is a foul, but against who?

This is not a foul. The player has "cupped" the defender, but is not holding the jersey.

Not a foul.

Not a foul.

A plea to referees:

"Let the players play!"