Control device for a ground compacter, having - a movable operating element for specifying a running direction of the ground compacter by an operator; - a hydraulic master device having a master cylinder in which a master piston can be moved linearly in a reciprocating manner in order to generate a hydraulic signal; - a hydraulic connector for coupling hydraulic components of the ground compacter and for transmitting the hydraulic signal from the master device; and having - a transfer device (7, 8) for transferring the movement of the operating element into a linear movement of the master piston; wherein - the operating element is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a maximum forward movement of the ground compacter and wherein the second position corresponds to a maximum reverse movement of the ground compacter; - a latching device is provided for releasably holding the operating element in a predetermined position; - the transfer device comprises a pinion shaft, which is coupled to the operating element, and a rack which is coupled to the master piston; - the pinion shaft meshes with the rack in such a way that a rotation of the pinion shaft effects a linear displacement of the rack; - the latching device comprises a pressure piece with a resiliently mounted latching element; - the latching device also has a recess, into which the latching element can be introduced; - the master piston has a piston rod in which the rack is formed; - the recess is formed in the piston rod; and wherein - a further, longitudinally extending recess, as a free travel area, is formed offset with respect to the recess in a longitudinal direction of the piston rod. - a movable operating element for specifying a running direction of the ground compacter by an operator; - a hydraulic master device having a master cylinder in which a master piston can be moved linearly in a reciprocating manner in order to generate a hydraulic signal; - a hydraulic connector for coupling hydraulic components of the ground compacter and for transmitting the hydraulic signal from the master device; and having - a transfer device (7, 8) for transferring the movement of the operating element into a linear movement of the master piston; - the operating element is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a maximum forward movement of the ground compacter and wherein the second position corresponds to a maximum reverse movement of the ground compacter; - a latching device is provided for releasably holding the operating element in a predetermined position; - the transfer device comprises a pinion shaft, which is coupled to the operating element, and a rack which is coupled to the master piston; - the pinion shaft meshes with the rack in such a way that a rotation of the pinion shaft effects a linear displacement of the rack; - the latching device comprises a pressure piece with a resiliently mounted latching element; - the latching device also has a recess, into which the latching element can be introduced; - the master piston has a piston rod in which the rack is formed; - the recess is formed in the piston rod; and wherein - a further, longitudinally extending recess, as a free travel area, is formed offset with respect to the recess in a longitudinal direction of the piston rod.