Question Number: 27873

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/11/2013

RE: Competitive High School

David of Duluth, MN USA asks...

The document referenced by the National HS Federation concerning the differences between NFHS, NCAA and FIFA Laws and Rules states that in High School Soccer a 'goalkeeper cannot be charged in his own penalty area unless dribbling the ball with his feet or obstructing.' However, under FIFA rules a 'goalkeeper may be fairly charged if going for the ball other than with his/her hands.'

http://www.nfhs.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=9269 Page 12

Can you elaborate on conduct that would be allowed under FIFA rules but not under NFHS?

In both cases you can't charge a keeper who is holding the ball or has possession, so I'm confused as to what the difference would be.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi David
When the goalkeeper has the ball in his grasp under both codes the goalkeeper may not be charged.
However when the ball is on the ground the goalkeeper is like any other player and he may be fairly charged as part of play. That applies in both codes so there is no difference.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Both definitions are very close to each other. A charge must be done while in the process of attempting to play the ball. You can't just barge into someone. So the HS rule just says the keeper has already gotten to the ball; the FIFA Law says he's trying to get there. It's only a matter of a second or so difference in time.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It's probably semantics but if we take the two rules as actually printed, NCAA and NFHS rules seem to say it's ok to charge the keeper once he's actually dribbling the ball but not ok until he actually touches the ball with his feet. This makes little sense and I doubt that's what the rule makers intended when drafting their documents. I can't imagine the ball on the ground in the penalty area, the keeper a few feet away and heading to the ball to kick it and 2 opponents also a foot or so away having to stand there and wait until the keeper actually dribbles the ball before they challenge. FIFA says if the keeper is playing or attempting to play the ball with his feet he may be fairly charged.

In practice, there's no difference

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

See Question: 27884