Question Number: 21360

Law 15 - Throw In 5/17/2009

RE: Beginner Under 15

William of Corona, Ca USA asks...

In my referee manual there is a one sentence explanation that states a goalie is not allowed to HANDLE a ball on a throw-in. Yet I see it happen all the time when I watch my son play and the referee does not make a call, thus not awarding the opposing team an in-direct kick. Im I missing something? Is the goalie allowed to handle the ball when the opposing team throws in the ball? What if his own teammate throws in the ball and the goalie picks it up as it passes everyone?

Answer provided by Referee Carl Schwartz

All rule codes agree. You are correct in saying that if the keeper handles the ball inside the penalty area after it has been thrown in by a teammate, the penalty is an indirect free kick -- outside the area, it would be a direct free kick. You are also correct in saying there is no penalty if keeper A1 handles the ball after it has been thrown in by a team B player.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

William, go back to your notes from the entry level class and the text of Law 12 and read again the requirements of Law 12 pertaining to goalkeepers. It says:

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

Note that it is only a problem if the goalkeeper handles a ball thrown in to him by a teammate - not an opponent. Be sure you review this before you accept games.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I don't know what 'referee manual' you refer to. In The Laws Of The Game we find the following in Law 12:

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

You will note that the prohibition is when the throw is by a TEAMMATE. No problem if it's by an opponent