Question Number: 20332

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/21/2008

RE: does not matter High School

steve sarto of Hampshire, Illinois USA asks...

The keeper has possession of the ball and is about ready to punt the ball. The keeper proceeds to bounce the ball in front of him.. An attacker is standing nearby and kicks the ball away from the keeper..

My opinion is to caution the player for not allowing the keeper to properly release the ball..

Is this the correct call for High School soccer? What about USSF?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You would be correct in both cases... try to coax the opponent of the goalkeeper NOT to do it first, if you can.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It is an indirect free kick offense in both FIFA and NFHS to interfere with the goalkeeper distributing the ball. If you decide the offense is kicking or attempting to kick the goalkeeper - quite likely - then it becomes a direct free kick. (Although at 80+ yards from the other goal, whether it is direct or indirect is more academic than practical.) The caution would be for unsporting behavior; the referee needs to decide whether a caution or a firm talking-to is needed in that game.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Bouncing the ball is still considered possession by the goalkeeper, and an opponent is not allowed to prevent the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands.

In the situation you pose, where the opponent actually kicks the ball, I would not warn him, but would indeed caution him - his action is recklessly endangering the keeper.

If, as is more often the case, the opponent is trying to keep the goalkeeper from releasing the ball, a warning on the first instance is very appropriate. If the warning goes unheeded, give the IDFK. On a repeat of this stupid trick, caution, as the lesson was not learned first try.