Question Number: 31556

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/23/2017

RE: Amateur Adult

George of Parangarecutirimicuaro, CA Sacratomato asks...

There was a ball that was rolling towards the penalty box. The defender escorted the ball while positioning himself to block any attackers. Goalie is sprinting towards the ball since there is an attacker on his way. Goalie picks up the ball but bobbles it while trying not to commit an error with attacker in the vicinity and while trying not to come out of goal area. Goalie never comes out of goal area. But, as he bobbles the ball, he uses the defenders belly, pressing the ball with teammates midsection to gain full control of the ball. My question is, can this be considered a pass back?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi George
There is no deliberate kick here by the defender so it cannot be a deliberate kick to the goalkeeper which is the only restriction in the Laws that prevents use of the hands by the GK.
There are many legal ways for a player to pass the ball to the goalkeeper in a way that allows the GK to use his hands. These includes playing the gal, with the head, knee, chest and one can include stomach!
As described there is no offence and play should be allowed to continue.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi George,
This just highlights what I said in another recent answer that it is better not to use the term 'pass back' precisely because it can lead to this kind of misunderstanding.

If we look at the actual wording in the Laws, it says that it is only an offence if the ball is:

''deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate''

Since there is no way that playing the ball with the stomach can be considered a kick, this cannot be an offence.