Question Number: 20309

Law 18 - Common Sense 10/20/2008

RE: AYSO Under 11

Loney Nunemaker of Gettysburg, PA USA asks...

What are the rules of play regarding the Keeper punting the ball after receiving it (i.e. preventing a goal) from an opposing player? I'm interested in mis-handling the ball and short punts that do not leave the penalty area.
Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Well, Law 12, if read, would tell you the keeper has six seconds after controlling the ball to distribute it without penalty. If the keeper holds it longer than that, it is an IDFK for the attack.

Law 12 also tells you the keeper, should he drop the ball after controlling it, cannot pick it up again with his hands. If he does it is an IDFK. But he can certainly kick it anywhere he wants to.

If a punt doesn't leave the penalty area, so what? It's not a restart, so the ball doesn't have to leave the PA to be in play. The ball was already in play, even though it was in the keeper's possession.

So a short punt that doesn't leave the PA does leave the goal exposed for any attacker who is available to knock it in. Lucky break for the attack...

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The Laws of the Game, Interpretation and Guidance section, says:

'A goalkeeper is not permitted to keep control of the ball in his hands for more than six seconds. A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball:
? while the ball is between his hands or between his hand and any surface (e.g. ground, own body)
? while holding the ball in his outstretched open hand
? while in the act of bouncing it on the ground or tossing it into the air'

If the events in youth games can in any way be interpreted as bouncing the ball, give the goalkeeper the benefit of doubt and allow her to pick up the ball again. Obviously that doesn't apply to a muffed, short punt - the ball clearly was released and kicked, just not done well. But if it's a simple drop and recovery without a kick, and it didn't roll clear across the penalty area - aww, she bounced it, didn't she?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If you're meaning to ask do the punts have to leave the penalty area before they can be played as with a goal kick, the answer is no