Question Number: 32802

High School 10/15/2018

RE: Select, competitive. High School

Iain Doleman of Las Vegas, NV United States asks...

What constitutes possession by the goalkeeper.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Iain
It is outlined in the Laws of the Game and NFHS says much the same
A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball when:
# the ball is between the hands or between the hand and any surface (e.g. ground, own body) or by touching it with any part of the hands or arms except if the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper or the goalkeeper has made a save
# holding the ball in the outstretched open hand
# bouncing it on the ground or throwing it in the air

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Iain,
while the High school has its own rules I do believe their version follow the same principles of FIFA LOTG as outlined by my colleague & friend Ref McHugh.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Iain,
Ref McHugh has given the definitions as per the IFAB's Laws of the Game. As ref Dawson says, the NFHS does not use exactly the same wording but the general principles are the same.

NFHS rules say that:

''Possession or control of the ball includes when the goalkeeper has the ball trapped by either or both hands or when bouncing it to the ground or when releasing the ball into play.''