Question Number: 31166

League Specific 1/10/2017

RE: Grade 8 Under 11

Terry Camerrer of Ewa Beach, Hawaii USA asks...

The USSF PDI guidelines for 10U 7X7 states the following: The build out line promotes playing the ball out of the back in a less pressured setting.When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play.
Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed). My question - What constitutes a pass? Is the goalie allowed to drop or roll the ball on the ground and then kick the ball to complete a pass? or should this be disallowed as the PDI states the goalie is not allowed to punt or dropkick the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Terry ,
I can not say I am all that familiar with the u little rule variations but as stated if the ball is placed on the ground to be kicked then it is NOT punted or dropped kick from a bounce or dropping ball/ Hence I say it would be fine! I find it odd that the keeper has to wait to get rid of the ball until the opposition are permitted to return up field but I guess the distance spread allows for a pass to an unmarked team mate? I think the no heading for youth is also responsible for this rule adaptation in trying to keep the ball on the ground rather than high in the air..
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Terry
The principle behind the competition rule is to encourage players to play the ball out from defence which includes the goalkeeper. So the GK is encouraged to throw the ball to a team mate or pass the ball using his foot to a team mate inside the build out line. It the build out line give very young players time to get positioned and control of the ball without high pressing from opponents. What is not allowed is a punt or drop kick which is out of the hands. I would go as far as to say that a GK should be dissuaded from circumventing the principle with extremely long throws which can go as far as a punt. At U Little that is rarely a problem as GKs have as yet not mastered long throwing yet as they get older they can
The small sided game is to encourage passing, dribbling, making space and building play out from the back rather than punting the ball from one end of the field of play to the other with players just chasing mistakes and high pressing with the ball in the air from punts and very long throws.

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

See Question: 31171