A handball violation is to be called only when the hand plays the ball. If the ball is kicked into the hand and the ball bounces away without the hand (or arm) redirecting or otherwise controlling the ball, then there is no handball violation. A particular case in point is on the occasion of a free kick and the defenders align themselves into a defensive wall. They may position their hands and arms to protect themselves and, if the ball is kicked into them and hits the arm or hand without the player moving from the protective position, then no handball violation is to be called. There is also no handball violation called when a player is very close to an opponent who kicks the ball directly into his/her hand or arm. Clearly, there is no violation
