Question Number: 33452

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/18/2019

RE: Rec and Select High School

Mary Ramirez-de-Arellano of DAMASCUS, MD United States asks...

When, if ever, can a goal keeper throw the ball out beyond the penalty area and then proceed to dribble the ball upfield? I have seen this a few times and today want to put to rest my questions about it.

Thanks so much! You guys are so helpful!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mary
No issue whatsoever here.
Once the goalkeeper has the ball in her control the only restriction is that she cannot touch the ball again with her hands after releasing it from her possession inside the penalty area. That is an IDFK offence.
What she does with the ball is a matter for the goalkeeper who in essence becomes like any other outfield player. She can dribble the ball anywhere she choose. If she can manage it she go the full length of the FOP
If you want to watch the greatest exponent of this have a look at this video of Rene Higuita.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p-flTPSSvCw
Rene I think saw himself as an outfield player who could handle the ball inside the penalty area lol

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Mary,
Any time a goalkeeper has the ball in their hands inside the penalty area, they are free to throw it outside the penalty area and to dribble the ball upfield. Absolutely any time at all. In fact there is no circumstance that I can think of in normal play, where they would not be allowed to do this. It might not be always wise to do this but there is nothing in the laws to prohibit it.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Mary,
its all ok to dribble after the release, the keeper can not readjust and dribble it BACK into his penalty area to pick it up again unless another player was to play it. Cheers