Question Number: 25267

League Specific 7/29/2011

RE: houseleague Under 6

Cynthia Lagden of Bowmanville, Ontario asks...

Hi I ref tyke games, mostly the littlest 5 year olds. I had just recently been told that goalkeepers are not allowed to leave the penalty area, I've never had a problem with this up until my previous game and I'm not sure what to call it as.. He had picked it up and so I had said it as a goal kick for now but for future I'd really like to know what to say! please and thankyou insanely!!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It is not part of the Laws of the Game; goalkeepers are not restricted from leaving the penalty area. They just lose their superpowers when they do.

However, the U-littles often have some innovative rule modifications. Many leagues don't even have goalkeepers at this age. It's quite possible that there is some reason the league would have put in a rule to restrict the goalkeeper's movements. You will have to check your local league rules.

I don't understand your comment about calling a goal kick because the keeper picked up the ball. Either he was allowed to do this - if he was inside the goal area - or it would be a free kick for the opponents for handling outside the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

There are no restrictions as to where goalkeepers are allowed to be on the field of play in the Laws so this must be a local modification. Our U6 used to not play with keepers or penalty areas and all free kicks are indirect.

You would have to check with your local League as to the restriction and the punishment. I doubt a goal kick would be in order but who knows? We've all seen some amazingly creative modifications for U Littles.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Cynthia
Some Leagues introduce competition rules usually to do with field of play sizes, number of players, restarts, punts etc. I always think it unfair on referees for competition organisers not to give a copy of the local competition rules yet expect referees to know every local modification. Also some of these modification to the Laws do little for the enjoyment of the players.
My answer to any parent, coach is that I'm not aware of that rule and you need to get me a written copy of the rule and clearly other teams did not know about this modification either. If both sides agree that it is a local rule then I will enforce that from that point onwards
Usually if there is an infringement of a local rule the ball is turned over or an indirect free kick is awarded.
On the 1st occasion of the breach of the local rule I would simply stop play, inform both teams/ goalkeepers about the rule and then restart with a dropped ball or give the ball back to the GK inside the penalty area. A repeat would then result in an IDFK.
At this age group IMO technical laws are not important just playing the game for fun.
I did an U10 game recently and on the first goal kick the GK punted the ball from his hands. I immediately stopped play and asked for the ball to be kicked from the ground. Guess what. The GK mis kicked the ball to an opponent who scored. Cue unhappy coach. At half time he said to me that GK are allowed to punt to which I replied " Well no one has informed me of that local rule and unless there is a written competition rule the ball is kicked from the ground by both sides on a GK."