Question Number: 24554

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/3/2011

RE: Rec Under 11

Logan of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma United states asks...

Can a goalie swing and miss on a punt attempt and then pick it back up and try to punt it again? If not, what should I call if they do that.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Logan
At underage this can be seen as trifling and an error which has been corrected quickly by a pick up and punt. The Law was never intended to punish handling mistakes but clear situation where the ball was released to the ground from possession and picked up again to prevent a challenge for the ball. One can argue as well that if it bounces up that it is not release of possession of the ball as bouncing and throwing up the ball by the goalkeeper is allowed in the Laws.
I have even waved two of these away over the last two seasons on dropped balls by goalkeepers by senior players. There were calls for the offence to which I simply ' Not an offence'.
If the referee decides to call it then it an indirect free kick from where the ball was picked up by the goalkeeper.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A goalkeeper is allowed to bounce the ball or throw it up in the air, and still be considered in control of it. If this missed punt can be viewed as a bounce, there is no decision to be made.

Even if the ball takes a couple of bounces or rolls away, it most likely is a trifling infraction of the Laws if the goalkeeper picks it up and trys to kick again. The only time it would need to be called is if the second-touch prevents an opponent from playing the ball.

If the infraction needs to be called, it is an indirect free kick offense from the place where the goalkeeper touched the ball a second time. If that spot is inside the goal area, the ball is placed on the edge of the goal area, the '6-yard line'.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The 'correct' answer is no, once the keeper releases the ball she may not touch it with her hands again until it touches another player.

The real life answer is, this is U11 rec we are talking about. Unless an opponent is charging to the ball, let the keeper pick the ball up and try again. Anyone says anything you reply it was a trifling infraction or in your opinion the keeper was bouncing the ball

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 33326