Question Number: 25859

Law 18 - Common Sense 12/31/2011

RE: Rec Under 17

Gary lewis of Redditch, Worcs England asks...

If an outfield player takes a goal kick plays it out the penalty box 2 the goalkeeper and they bring it back inside the penalty area and picks it up is it a backpass ?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It is not a 'backpass' because there is no such thing in the Laws of the Game.

However, it was a ball deliberately kicked by a teammate to the goalkeeper, so the keeper is prohibited from handling the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gary
The goalkeeper may not touch the ball when the ball is deliberately kicked to him by a team mate. In this case the ball has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper so when he dribbles the ball inside the penalty area and touches the ball with his hands it is an offence punishable by an IDFK from where the goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands.
The direction of the kick is irrelevant as it can be forward as well as back so the word 'backpass' is a misnomer

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If what you meant to ask was can the goalkeeper receive a ball from a teammate on a goal kick, then dribble it back into the penalty area and pick it up with the hands, the answer is no. To do so violates the restriction in Law 12 on deliberately kicking the ball to keeper, who then uses his hands on the ball. The fact that there is some dribbling between the receipt of the ball and the actual handling is irrelevant. What this tactic will produce is an IDFK for the opposing team where the keeper picks up the ball.