Question Number: 25325

Law 18 - Common Sense 8/18/2011

RE: rec Adult

Kari of sacramento , california united states asks...

The goalie is playing outside the goal box by 10yds, the ball is played too far forward by the opposing team and the goalie receives the ball at their feet, outside the 18yrd box, turns dribbles the ball back inside the 18yd box, picks the ball up with their hands and punts, is that legal?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kari
Yes this is legal. The restriction of the goalkeeper touching the ball with her hands inside the penalty area only applies when the ball is deliberately kicked to her by a team mate.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 12 says it is an indirect free kick foul if the goalkeeper 'touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate.' No problem if it is kicked by an opponent, or if the ball came from a teammate in a manner other than a deliberate kick.

If the goalkeeper kicks the ball around before handling it, whether inside or outside the penalty area, there is no change in the status. She can still handle it if the ball came from an opponent, but not if it was deliberately kicked by a teammate.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Since it was an opponent who kicked the ball the keeper retrieved, there is no restriction against handling it in her own PA. Neither is there any restriction on the keeper using her feet, head, chest or other parts except for the arms/hands to play the ball outside her own penalty area. Outside her own PA she is just another player.

I might add that even inside her own PA, the keeper can legally play a ball sent to her by a teammate's throw-in or a deliberate kick from a teammate as long as she does not use her hands.