Question Number: 24156

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/13/2010

RE: Rec High School

Shane of York, PA United States asks...

In high school soccer, is it legal for the goalie to catch a throw-in from a teammate? 10 years ago when I played in high school it was legal? However, in my game yesterday, the referee said it was not? Has the rule changed?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Shane
The goalkeeper may not touch the ball with his hands that is deliberately kicked to him by a team mate or thrown to him by a team mate at a throw in. It is covered in Rule 12. 7 Art 4.

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Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It has not been legal in FIFA games since the 1996/97 version of the Laws (this was one of the few changes that accompanied the rewrite and condensation of the Laws). NFHS is usually a year or two behind in adopting changes from IFAB, the writers of the Laws. Your 10-year timeframe is just about right. Maybe it was legal when you were a freshman, and you didn't notice it had changed by the time you were a senior?

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Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

My recollection is that it took a couple years for high school rules to adopt FIFA's changes that replaced steps with six seconds and changed when the keeper could pick up the ball. The rules have been the same for some time.

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