Question Number: 21665

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/18/2009

RE: Rec Under 17

Jack Currie of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21553

I was playing as a centre back and the ball was cleared over my head. i used my knee/thigh to control the ball back to the keeper and told him to pick it up. this was blown as a back pass. i used to be a ref and am 100% sure that what i did is allowed (at least 99% sure) and i was wondering if there is any official document that states that the definition of 'kick' as it is used in the pass back law means 'with the foot'.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

While the laws don't specify how to define 'kick', Decision 3 in Law 12 does specifically state that you can pass the ball to the keeper using your knee, assuming you're not using a deliberate trick to circumvent the laws (such as flicking it up then knocking it back).

It may be possible that the referee didn't have a great view and thought you kicked it with your foot.

Either way you are correct that what you did is allowed.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You are 100% correct. the ball must be deliberately kicked and that means with the foot. All too many referees using the incorrect term 'passback' which implies the ball heading back to the keeper from any part of a teammate's anatomy. IFAB was clear with the rule when it was introduced to eliminate time wasting. While you not being a USSF are not bound by this, Advice To Referees has this to say;

12.20 BALL KICKED TO THE GOALKEEPER
A goalkeeper infringes Law 12 if he or she touches the ball with the hands directly after it has been deliberately kicked to him or her by a teammate. The requirement that the ball be kicked means only that it has been played with the foot.

FIFA is not as descriptive but I think most of the world mean 'with the foot' when they say kicked

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

All uses of the word 'kick' in the Laws of the Game are consistent with the meaning 'with the foot'. IFAB didn't spell this out in the Laws; they must feel it is obvious. There is some room for interpretation, such as what about contact with the ankle or lower shin? Some refs feel that is close enough to kicking that they consider it a kick.

This is in contrast to handling the ball, which is expressly defined in the Laws as deliberate contact of the ball with hand or arms.