Question Number: 31203

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/27/2017

RE: Competive Under 18

Hiang of s, s asks...

No one really taught me about this so I'm quite confused about it. Is a goalkeeper allowed to pick up the ball right after the referee makes a drop ball?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
After the ball touches the ground the bell is in play and as it has not been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team mate there are no restrictions on the goalkeeper using his hands inside the penalty area.
The restriction only applies when the ball has been deliberately kicked or thrown to the GK during play by a team mate.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Yes, as soon as the referee drops the ball the goalkeeper can pick the ball up. He can also move around with the ball at his feet first. That's because at a drop ball the ball is in play but wasn't put into play by a teammate, which is why it's different to, say, a defender taking a free kick where the keeper wouldn't be able to pick it up.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Yes, in fact it is a relatively common occurrence, if play is stopped with the ball in the goalkeeper's possession or close to the keeper, for the referee to drop the ball directly at the keeper's feet in an uncontested drop ball. Usually when this is done, the keeper immediately picks the ball up, which is perfectly legal, as my colleagues have stated.

While it could be argued that this is skirting with the prohibition in the law against manufacturing the outcome of a dropped ball, it is also seen by many (including various referees) as the fairest procedure in the particular circumstances.