From FIFA Laws of the Game - Handling

Handling the Ball

Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact
with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following
into consideration:
• the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards
the hand)
• the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected
ball)
• the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is
an infringement
• touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing,
shinguard etc.) counts as an infringement
• hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard etc.) counts
as an infringement
Disciplinary sanctions
There are circumstances when a caution for unsporting behaviour
is required when a player deliberately handles the ball, e.g. when a
player:
• deliberately and blatantly handles the ball to prevent an opponent
gaining possession
• attempts to score a goal by deliberately handling the ball

A player is sent off, however, if he prevents a goal or an obvious goalscoring
opportunity by deliberately handling the ball. This punishment
arises not from the act of the player deliberately handling the ball but
from the unacceptable and unfair intervention that prevented a goal
being scored.

Restart of play

• Direct free kick from the position where the offence occurred
(see Law 13 – Position of Free Kick) or penalty kick
Outside his own penalty area, the goalkeeper has the same restrictions
on handling the ball as does any other player. Inside his own penalty
area, the goalkeeper cannot be guilty of a handling offence incurring a
direct free kick or any misconduct related to handling the ball. He can,
however, be guilty of several handling offences that incur an indirect
free kick.