Question Number: 30116

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/16/2016

RE: Competitive High School

Eden of Muskegon, MI USA asks...

In high school soccer, if the goalie has the ball and sets it down on the ground, can an opposing player take the ball and score. I've seen this happen on videos I've found on youtube but I wondered if it was legal for high school soccer.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Eden
What makes you believe that it is illegal? The ball I assume is in play so like in all other situations the ball can be challenged for and played by an opponent once it thrown down to the ground. Possession has been relinquished.
Now if the goalkeeper has the ball in his possession then he cannot be challenged or interfered with. That though is not setting the ball down on the ground. When goalkeepers put the ball on the ground they relinquish their privileges as goalkeepers.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Eden,
if the ball is in active play (not a restart) the keeper has 6 seconds of uncontested ball possession with his hands. NO opponent is permitted to prevent the keeper from releasing the ball. The toss and immediate drop kick is a fine line between a release or a bounce but we give the keeper the benefit of doubt when it comes to being unfairly challenged by an opponent who is preventing a release of the ball into play. In that 6 seconds the keeper can legally bounce the ball using one or both hands.

I think it is a silly thing to do as it has lead to the occasional ball accidentally squirting off his toe or a bit of uneven or wet ground. It the case of a mishandle we MIGHT allow the keeper to recover if no opponent was unfairly denied opportunity as long as the opposition had nothing to do with the loss of ball possession, we likely allow play to continue.

This is viewed slightly DIFFERENT then when a keeper manually releases the ball from his possession by rolling the ball off his hands along the ground in preparation to kick it or dibble it rather than punt it. That is a release of the ball from his hands. The keeper can not longer use his hands and the opposition is now permitted to challenge for the ball. The trouble arises when the keeper remains unaware a nearby opponent is hidden in behind him suddenly appears to challenge. Keeper feels like a dunderhead, which he is, and the resulting goal is one he knows is on him!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Eden,

Once the goal keeper sets the ball on the ground and removes his/her hands the ball is in play and either team can play it. (NFHS Rule 12-7- 1 on page 55). However, once the ball is released by the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper cannot touch the ball with his/her hands until it has been touched or played by a teammate who is outside the penalty area or an opponent inside or outside the penalty area.

I hope this helps you either as a field player or goalkeeper.