Question Number: 21806

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/21/2009

RE: Select Adult

Tim S of Los Angeles, CA USA asks...

My seven year olds were at a well respected Soccer Camp this summer run by a popular USSF Licensed/English F.A. Certified Coach. In a scrimmage, ball shot at goalie by Blue #1; goalie saves shot, has his hand on top of the ball pinned against the ground. Blue #2 runs forward and kicks the ball in the goal. Goalie jumps up and says 'I had the ball, no goal!' I completely agreed as he clearly had control. To my surprise, the Coach says no you need to have it in both hands, that one hand on the ball isn't enough. I restrained my self at that point but afterwards approached him and gently noted that the concept of control was the issue and the goalie had established control in the situation. He clearly did not understand or agree.

Two questions:I will see Coach at the pre-season coaching clinic for our fall season in a couple of weeks and wanted to diplomatically pursue the point with him; any suggestions how to broach the subject w/o sounding like a blow hard? Second, I will be ref-ing U12 in our league and thought that maybe a few pre-game words to the teams that I intended to protect goalies and that no one should be kicking at balls when the goalie has control, even if it's not with two hands. Any advice there?

Many thanks, Tim

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A coach telling a player he 'needs' two hands may be giving goalkeeping advice rather than interpreting the laws of the game.

But, the Additional Interpretations And Guidelines appended to the Laws of the Game, published by FIFA at page 112 notes: 'A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball: ? while the ball is between his hands or between his hand and any surface (e.g. ground, own body); ? while holding the ball in his outstretched open hand; ? while in the act of bouncing it on the ground or tossing it into the air.'

I do not recommend 'pre-game words' of instruction by the referee. They don't change player activity, and they can lead to trouble when it appears to them that the referee's actions do not match what they think they heard. If you want to show you will protect the keeper, be proactive by shouting at the attacker to let the keeper release the ball, and blow the whistle when an attacker first interferes with the keeper. Actions really do speak louder than words.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Second question first: Usually the less said to teams before the game, the better. For the most part they're not listening anyway. And if they do happen to listen, they won't hear what you want them to hear. You certainly don't want to promise them anything about how you will call the game. If you say you'll call a foul for XYZ, but then XYY happens, half of the players will wonder why you aren't doing what you said you would.

Regarding goalkeeper control, you are correct. Only one hand is needed to establish control. The following two quotes, from the Laws of the Game and USSF's Advice to Referees, confirm this.
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A goalkeeper is not permitted to keep control of the ball in his hands for more than six seconds. A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball:
? while the ball is between his hands or between his hand and any surface (e.g. ground, own body)
? while holding the ball in his outstretched open hand
? while in the act of bouncing it on the ground or tossing it into the air
When a goalkeeper has gained possession of the ball with his hands, he cannot be challenged by an opponent.
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12.16 GOALKEEPER POSSESSION OF THE BALL
The goalkeeper is considered to be in possession of the ball when the ball is held with both hands, held by trapping the ball between one hand and any surface (e.g., the ground, a goalpost, the goalkeeper's body), or holding the ball in the outstretched open palm. Once established, possession is maintained when the ball is held as described above, while bouncing the ball on the ground or throwing it into the air. Possession is given up if, after throwing the ball into the air, it is allowed to hit the ground. For purposes of determining goalkeeper possession, the "handling" includes contact with any part of the goalkeeper's arm from the fingertips to the shoulder.
While the ball is in the possession of the goalkeeper, it may not be challenged for or played by an opponent in any manner. An opponent who attempts to challenge for a ball in the possession of the goalkeeper may be considered to have committed a direct free kick foul. However, a ball controlled by the goalkeeper using means other than the hands is open to legal challenge by an opponent. The referee should consider the age and skill level of the players in evaluating goalkeeper possession and err on the side of safety.
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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What a shock! A coach is 100% incorrect! I'm stunned. There is no requirement a keeper have 2 hands on the ball for control to exist. If he has the ball pinned with one hand to the ground, the goalpost or his body he has control.

When you see the coach at the preseason meeting simply quote the following from the updated Advice To Referees On The Laws of The Game published by USSF:

12.16 GOALKEEPER POSSESSION OF THE BALL
The goalkeeper is considered to be in possession of the ball when the ball is held with both hands, held by trapping the ball between one hand and any surface (e.g., the ground, a goalpost, the goalkeeper's body), or holding the ball in the outstretched open palm. Once established, possession is maintained when the ball is held as described above, while bouncing the ball on the ground or throwing it into the air. Possession is given up if, after throwing the ball into the air, it is allowed to hit the ground. For purposes of determining goalkeeper possession, the "handling" includes contact with any part of the goalkeeper's arm from the fingertips to the shoulder.

While the ball is in the possession of the goalkeeper, it may not be challenged for or played by an opponent in any manner. An opponent who attempts to challenge for a ball in the possession of the goalkeeper may be considered to have committed a direct free kick foul. However, a ball controlled by the goalkeeper using means other than the hands is open to legal challenge by an opponent. The referee should consider the age and skill level of the players in evaluating goalkeeper possession and err on the side of safety.

As far as your pregame is concerned, generally I think it a bad idea to deal with specifics. Just use your judgement during the game and make sure you know both the LOTG and what's current in Advice.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The Coach is incorrect twice over here!
His understanding of the law and its effect on the SAFETY of his keeper!
His understanding of the law and the fact he is NOT a referee thus cannot decide what the referee's decisions will be!

IF you feel obligated to pursue this with the coach you could suggest he check out our site or approach your association with the correct information and ask those responsible for the teaching aspects to make this information known.

Coach, player, fan and parent: They all have their views, concepts preconceived notions and far too often a limited understanding of the laws of the game!

To be honest though, I also know of referees that suffer from a lack of understanding the game despite their knowing the laws. Thus understandable there will be conflict confrontation and bickering over semantics and divergent points of view.

Given the ability to play or teach well, it is a fundamental in tactical application that a keeper should always get in behind the ball use both hands. The fact the law allows the keeper ball possession thus controls with but one pinky on a stationary ball is a feature that as referees we are taught specifically.

The referee can not debate every miscue nor placate each individual to sooth their emotional need or satisfy their belief in justice. The ability to agree to disagree and move on is necessary for a match to flow. While our character and bearing the manner in how we conduct a match are scrutinized by the onlookers a referee secure in the KNOWLEDGE of the laws need not be upset simply because those around him do not know them as well as he.

As a coach I teach my strikers to pursue EVERY ball to the last degree of availability but to avoid a collision or contact if the keeper has CLEAR possession of a stationary ball. There will always incidents of the ball, keeper hand(s) and attacker's foot arriving at near the same time. The ball rebounds a hair off the hand or is still moving that ball is likely AVAILABLE to be challenged!

Pregame talks are tricky although they can be useful to help clarify tournament specifics or new law changes just be wary of saying too much. Confidence is a by-product of your character, project certainty but do not lecture or drone on on how you will resort to punishment! Integrity is a NON measurable product of your self respect but it is in your ACCOUNTABILITY where you will be held to task for what you say and do and whether you do as you say! I think it wise if you ask the coach /players if they have any specific questions?

Introduce the ARs and very CLEARLY inform the coach/players they are OFF limits, their view and the area they require to run along is to be hassle free and to bring ANY issue directly to you via the captain if the TIME and circumstances allow for it. In UNLIMITED substitution matches one could clarify the substitution procedure and ensure compliance. Play fair, play to the whistle have a good game! Any questions?

I have a personal tendency to make myself available to the public along the touchlines ahead of the match and take questions from them. I engage them in a positive way by asking for their help in deciding which member of the opposition best exemplifies their ideal of the complete player? I use this tactic with great success in diffusing tensions and promoting sportsmanship.

When operating as a single official I have this brief mantra,
'I am fair not perfect! Expect me to stay with the play to the best of my ability but be aware on offside you live or die by my position on the field as I only call it if 100% certain.
Substitutions are by the book, I expect you to play fair, play to the whistle and have a good game! Any questions?

Cheers