Question Number: 20561

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/20/2008

RE: Rec, Select Under 15

James of Battle Creek, MI USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 12237

I understand that an IDFK results if the goalie handles the ball that is passed back to him/her by a teammate.

But, can the goalie receive a deliberate pass from a teammate outside the penalty area and play it into the penalty area using feet and then pick it up once in the penalty area?

I am concerned as a new ref (U14 and below) and as a coach.
Thanks and great site!
James

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

What will have changed if the keeper reaches a ball deliberately kicked by a teammate, dribbles it into the PA and then picks it up?

The answer is nothing.

Is it any different from receiving it inside the PA?

The answer is no.

When the ball is deliberately kicked to a place where the keeper can reach it, the restriction on the keeper picking it up in his hands has begun and will only end at the point when the keeper has played it out (using anything but the hands) and the ball has been touched or played by another player.

Obviously this can start all over again if the next player to play it is a teammate who deliberately kicks it to a place...

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

NO!
You were incorrect when you said you understood in your first sentance understand that it still is incorrect in your second!

The keeper is not restricted from dribbling the ball in or out of his area as often as the opposition permits it!

When or if the keeper decides to go to handling the ball inside his area we go back to HOW to keeper come to be in possession of the ball in the first place?

The restriction of no hands by the keeper is in effect ONLY if the teammate DELIBERATELY KICKED the ball to his keeper or if it was a DIRECT throw -in by a team mate to his keeper!

Passes of other means, be it a headed ball or a chested or even an accidental deflection of the ball off the foot are NOT restricted. Neither is any ball last played by an opponent.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

James, welcome from the dark side! That said, now that you are one of us, be prepared to be chastised. The term 'passback' while generally understood should not be used by referees as it is a confusing term. The keeper most certainly may handle a ball 'passed back' to her if the pass is with the head or any other part of her anatomy other than the foot. What the keeper may NOT do is handle a ball deliberately kicked to her or to an area where she may collect the ball. If the ball is kicked to an area outside the penalty area, she may collect it and dribble back into her penalty area but she may not legally touch it with her hands before it has touched another player. If she does, an IDFK is awarded the opponents.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

It is exactly the same thing.