Question Number: 31209

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/28/2017

RE: Red Under 13

Sean Corcoran of Newport News, VA United States asks...

A keeper makes a save and is bouncing the ball to the 18 to punt it. Can an attacking player challenge the keeper while he is bouncing the ball?

Another question the keeper makes save and he decides he doesn't want to punt the ball instead he wants to drop kick the ball, so he drops the ball on the ground then as it is bouncing back up he kicks it, can an attacking player challenge for the ball as he is kicking it? Or does the attacking player have to leave the goalie alone unless he loses control of the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Sean,
In both the scenarios you describe, the player may not challenge for the ball.

The law states as follows:

''A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball when:
[...]
bouncing it on the ground or throwing it in the air
A goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball with the hands.''

In case that were not enough, the law also mentions specifically that an indirect free kick is awarded if a player:

''prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands or kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it''

So if the player does challenge in these circumstances, it is at minimum a free kick and if the referee judges that if was done with a risk of injury, the player should be cautioned.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Sean
The answer to both is no. What you describe is quoted by a Referee Grove as goalkeeper possession and once in possession the goalkeeper may not be challenged for the ball.
The only time the goalkeeper may be challenged is when he throws the ball down on the ground with the intention of dribbling a distance or a ground kick. A drop kick is a form of a punt not a ground kick. The motion of throw and kick is all together same as a regular punt.
So a player may shadow the goalkeeper from a distance to ensure the goalkeeper kicks or throws the ball away once released from possession. However the player may not get in the way of the kick or challenge in any way. At younger age groups throwing to ground rarely if ever happens do shawdowing should not happen and must be watched closely by the referee