Question Number: 21326

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/12/2009

RE: High School High School

Jim Carlson of Manchester, Connecticut USA asks...

I understand today's rule that the goalkeeper has 6 seconds to get rid of the ball. When I was in high school (1950's) I remember that the goalkeeper was limited to a certain number of steps (like 4 or 5) but if he bounced the ball he could take additional steps before he kicked the ball. Do I recall correctly? We're trying to resolve a 'memory difference' and I would appreciate your comments. Thank you!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You are correct, they used to measure time-wasting in distance, 4 steps. It changed in 1997. I was never aware of the bounce-and-you-get-4-more rule, but it does make sense. That may be why we have a remnant in the Laws today, that a keeper is considered to be in possession of the ball while bouncing it on the ground or tossing it in the air.

Edit: Ref Dawson's chronology supports my supposition. Players are creative and find loopholes in the Laws. Just as IFAB had to restrict trickery to get around a deliberate pass to the goalkeeper. The year after 4-steps was added, they added that bouncing is considered continuous possession, you don't get 4 more steps. I'm sure there was a goalkeeper or two who tried that.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Heck I have enough trouble remembering current law! ;o)
While 1950 to 1982 is a long while it is likely the keeper was allowed to run around with the ball and the opposition could charge him to knock it away. I recall being challanged while holding the ball as a keeper and being knocked down in the early seventies? Those with history or law books or a better memory contact us with the skinny of exactly what keepers could do and when.
1982
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
Introduction of the four-step rule:
...from the moment the ball comes under his (the goalkeeper's) control, he takes more than four steps without releasing the ball into play and - having released it - he touches the ball again before it has been touched or played by another player...

1983
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
Modification of the four-step rule:
...from the moment the ball comes under his (the goalkeeper's) control, he takes more than four steps in any direction whilst holding, bouncing or throwing the ball in the air and catching it again, without releasing the ball into play or having released it into play before, during or after the four steps - he touches it again with his hands before it has been touched or played by another player...

1985
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
Modification of the four-step rule:
...from the moment the ball comes under his (the goalkeeper's) control, he takes more than four steps in any direction whilst holding, bouncing or throwing the ball in the air and catching it again, without releasing the ball into play or having released it into play before, during or after the four steps - he touches it again with his hands before it has been touched or played by another player of the same team outside of the penalty-area, or by a player of the opposing team either inside or outside of the penalty-area.

Back-pass rule changed
Despite these changes, tactics during the 1990 FIFA World Cup suggested something more needed to be done. The IFAB responded in 1992 by banning goalkeepers from handling deliberate back-passes. Although the new rule was greeted with skepticism by some at first, in the fullness of time it would become widely appreciated

1992
Backpass ruling: Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
On any occasion when a player deliberately kicks the ball to his own goalkeeper, the goalkeeper is not permitted to touch it with his hands. If, however, the goalkeeper does touch the ball with his hands, he shall be penalized by the award of an indirect free-kick to be taken by the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred,...


1993.
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct

* further precision of the four-step rule
* further precision of time-wasting tactics

Precision that a player is to be cautioned and shown the yellow card as per the specific provisions. Precision that a player is to be sent off the field and shown the red card, if in the opinion of the referee, he:

* is guilty of violent conduct
* is guilty of serious foul play
* uses foul or abusive language
* is guilty of a second cautionable offence after having received a caution

Decision 18: Subject to the terms of Law XII, a player may pass the ball to his own goalkeeper using his head or chest or knee, etc. If, however, in the opinion of the referee, a player uses a deliberate trick to circumvent article 5 (c) of Law XII, the player will be guilty of ungentlemanly conduct ...


1997
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
An indirect free-kick will be awarded if the goalkeeper handles the ball after receiving it from a throw-in from his own team.

2000
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
New text:
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following five offences:

? takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession

Present Day text
LAW 12 ? FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
Indirect Free Kick
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper,
inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:
? controls the ball with his hands for more than six seconds before
releasing it from his possession
? touches the ball again with his hands after he has released it from
his possession and before it has touched another player
? touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked
to him by a team-mate
? touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate