Question Number: 15207

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/17/2007

RE: Competive High School

Jim Dunbeck of Albertville, AL USA asks...

In regards to Law 12, during a recent high school game a keeper made a save grabbing the ball with his hands. His momentum carried him beyond the post and he began to fall backwards. As he does this he throws the ball down, regains his balance and catches the ball on the first hop. Neither the CR or myself as AR called this as a release, but the opposing coach sure thought it was. Who was correct?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

As the referee you must decide if you feel the player was:

(a) making one save, meaning he couldn't control the ball in the process of doing this and likely would have kept the ball in his hands if he could have.
-or-
(b) catching the ball and realizing he would carry it out of play (or into the goal, unclear from your description) so, he drops the ball in the field of play so that he may later come back to the field after regaining his balance pick it up again.

If in your opinion:
A is true - then he is permitted to pick it up
-or-
B is true - he may not pick it up and if he does (within his own penalty area) you should award an IFK to the opponents where the keeper grabbed the ball.

It's your judgment and opinion that will make or break this decision.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jim,
as the match officials you made the call, Your CR stated it as a fact of play, it was considered as Decision 2 LAW 12
The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with any part of his hand or arms. Possession of the ball includes the goalkeeper deliberately parrying the ball, but does not include the circumstances where, in the opinion of the referee, the ball rebounds accidentally from the goalkeeper, for example after he has made a save.
LAW 5 Decisions of The Referee
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.

You ask if you were right?
In any post game review it is good to get feedback from each other as officials and from mentors and colleagues watching.
Can you replay the moment in video? or in your mind's eye?
Did the ball rebound accidentally from the goalkeeper, after he had made the save?
Was it a bounce as described in FIFA Q&A
16. A goalkeeper holding the ball bounces it before he kicks it upfield. Is it an offence to bounce the ball?
No. In the spirit of the Law he would not be regarded as having
released the ball from his possession.

IF you answer yes to either then your call in law is correct
IF you answer no to both what was the basis of your decision NOT to call an iNDFK for a second touch?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Interesting this. High school rule states from the moment the goalkeeper takes control of the ball with the hands when playing as a goalkeeper within his/her own penalty area, --

Right, takes control is the operative word. Control of what besides the ball? Full control of the body. The International FA Board understands that a keeper making a save sometimes results in the ball being played with the hands or arms and NOT being retained. This is not considered using the keeper's one chance to use hands for six seconds. Here you have a keeper trying to prevent a goal against his side, he did.

In doing this he released the ball from his hands and once he regained balance he reacquired the ball. Well done keeper! I see nothing wrong here given the normal run of time. If this took place over two to three seconds a rational referee might well think something is amiss. That is, up until the time he realizes the keeper has just bounced the ball, something he is permitted to do. Well done Keeper!

Of course, I wasn't there to see the events unfold -- you guys were and came to a decision based on your interpretation of facts connected with play. That is good enough for me. Well done referees!

The opposing coach had a different opinion, sunny beaches...

Regards,