Question Number: 30365

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/29/2016

RE: Competive High School

Brandon Olson of Ephraim, UT USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21474

My son and the goalie approached the pass and reached the ball simultaneously. The ball didn't seem to ever be in possession by either, but a yellow card was given to my son as the Goalie flopped to the ground.
What are the rules for a player to charge a ball passed to him in the box and when is the GK considered in possession?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brandon
This question gets asked regularly. When challenging for the ball the goalkeeper is considered like any other player with the exception that he can uses his hands inside the penalty area. The GK is considered to be in possession of the ball when trapped by either or both hands or when bouncing it to the ground or when releasing it. In FIFA games a hand on top of the ball on the ground is also possession. While in possession a GK cannot be challenged.
Now we know that goalkeeping can have its dangers when GKs dive at the feet of opponents. Referees have to judge how much the risk is caused by the GK and how much by the attacker. Sometimes it is just a coming together while at the other end of the scale it is a no hope lunge by the attacker / goalkeeper knowing that there is little hope of winning the ball without risk to the opponent. That is a foul.
Referees also take into account the manner of the challenge. A GK might slide sideways towards the ball and the opponents stretches out a leg, foot first to try to win the ball. That runs the high risk of inevitable contact of leg, foot into the GKs torso. I had one of these recently and I went against the attacker. The GK rolled around injured although my gut feeling was that it was not serious as both players had almost stopped at the point of contact. I also went with a caution as I felt it was bordering on risky with limited chance of the forward winning the ball. The GKs team felt it was a dangerous risky challenge appealing for all sorts of sanction. The player said that the ball was there to be won yet it was the manner of trying to win the ball that was at issue not possession or lack thereof. The caution was adequate IMO and sometimes it is what I call a *keep a lid on it* sanction.
I also had one earlier in the season where I clearly saw the attacker play the ball first on a stretch and the GK landed late on the attackers leg hurting himself. I awarded the goal and got the GK treated for the injury which was of his own making. Indeed the GKs action was a foul on the attacker yet advantage was the correct decision. I left it at that.
Player in some situations can be somewhat unlucky to pick up a caution yet to not do so may raise tempers, lose some control etc. The player also then has to adjust his challenging style on other tackles which is the main purpose of the card.
BTW the caution can also be for a series of fouls (PI), or not heeding a referee warning to not make any more challenges involving risk, after getting the benefit of doubt on a previous tackle. If I say to a player to not come to my attention again I expect him to heed that advice.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Brandon,
The goalkeeper does not have to be in possession of the ball to be penalized as is indicated by NFHS Rule 12-4-2: 'A player shall not in any manner charge the goalkeeper in the penalty area unless the goalkeeper is obstructing the player or dribbling the ball with the feet.' Also, Rule 12-4-2a indicates that: 'An official shall disqualify without caution, any player who flagrantly fouls the goalkeeper in possession of the ball. Possession includes when the goalkeeper has the ball trapped by either or both hands or when bouncing it to the ground or releasing the ball into play.' From your description, it sounds as if both your son and the goalkeeper were playing the ball which would not result in a caution. However, the referee obviously did not view the contact in this manner. Hopefully, this helps in your understanding of goalkeeper contact and your son's team has a very successful season.