Question Number: 31118

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/16/2016

RE: Youth to adult, comp and rec.

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 31112

In the 'Funny Goals' collection, at 1:55, there's a sequence of terrible clearing attempts that end up with the ball heading toward the defenders' goal.

The keeper seems reluctant to use his hands, right to the point of the ball going into the net.

Can we all agree that the back-pass-to-keeper rule would not apply here¦ that the keeper could have used his hands without drawing a whistle?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38qyP7cha-E

Merry Christmas to all the panelists!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
Yes neither kicks were deliberate kicks to the goalkeeper and would not be punished should the goalkeeper have used his hands.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Barry,
a very Merry Christmas & Happy new year to you as well. We are in 100% agreement no issue with the use of hands by the keeper. The back pass whistle is usually a gotcha call more so than a need to find an excuse to call. There are no excuses needed here! Play On!
Cheers and Merry Christmas

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Barry,
As a former keeper I can tell you that I would have had no compunction in using my hands in that scenario. Now, maybe that's because I was a referee as well as a keeper and familiar with the laws but I was also a goalkeeping coach for many years and one of the things I always taught my keepers was what did and did not constitute a deliberate kick to them by a team mate. I would have hoped that any goalkeeping coach would have taught the keepers under their tutelage the same thing.

Either this keeper was never taught this - or perhaps he just panicked and forgot!