Question Number: 30115

League Specific 2/16/2016

RE: rec Under 12

paul summerhayes of cardiff, United Kingdom asks...

my son plays in goals for a local team on weekend against other teams .
on one occasion he saved the ball and kicked the ball out of his hands down the field to a fellow player ,he was then told he cannot do this and the other team were awarded a free kick is this correct and if so why cant they kick it out of their hands like every goalkeeper you see on tv etc.
please can you verify this thanks paul

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Paul
The Laws of the Game allow for some laws to be modified up to the age of 16. No doubt there has been a local rule introduced here to encourage passing plus playing out from defence from the goalkeeper. There can also be a height restriction on how high the ball can be kicked which obviously eliminates punts.
In some underage games that I officiate on that are small sided there is such a local rule and there is an IDFK awarded to the opponent from where the ball lands in the opponents half should the ball be punted downfield. Some leagues have a height restriction and an IDFK is awarded from where the ball goes above say head height. The thinking behind it is to encourage the goalkeeper to find a team mate and to do so in his own half, not punting it downfield and to encourage more passing, dribbling skills which has been lost in recent years . The FA like many associations are keen to promote skill development so these rules are part of player development plans.
Im surprised he was not told before kick off of the local rule. Anyway once your son gets older he will be able to punt it as far as he wishes and perhaps then his coach will be encouraging him and his team to hold on to possession rather than allowing it to be given up and challenged for downfield from a punt.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Paul,
You are correct there is nothing in the FIFA LOTG that prevent this action, however, it appears as if the ROC (Rules of Competition)has adapted bylaws to limit this action for the evolution of a better skill set! IT seems rather sad that the coach failed to make his players unaware of such limitations thus force his team to give up the ball when keeping it was the reason for the change! sigh .

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Some leagues in my area have a competition rule that the younger goalkeepers cannot kick the ball on the fly across the half line. In my opinion if they hadn't specified a too-small field they wouldn't need that rule, but what do I know?