Question Number: 12167

Law 3 - Number of Players 2/9/2006

RE: Rec Under 13

Ira Kerker of Boca Raton, Florida USA asks...

My game ended regulation in a tie. The rules state we play a 10 minute overtime, then penalty kicks. The rules further state that only the kids on the field at the end of overtime may shoot. The goalie at the end at the end of overtime must defend all penalty kicks. With 1 minute left in overtime the opposing team was awarded a goal kick. With the refs permission I instructed my best player to change positions with the goalie so she could defend the penalty kicks. The opposing coach objected on the grounds that you can not substitute players on a goal kick. His objection was denied.

The opposing coach had his goalie kick the ball quickly and moved the ball down field. My new goalie did not have enough time to get the goalie shirt on when the opposing team shot. My new goalie made a save without wearing the goalie shirt. Should the ref have called a foul?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I'd add that the rules you are playing under are blatantly illegal and should not be allowed if you are playing under FIFA/USSF sanctions. Overtime periods are no longer allowed. I agree with Ref marco. The game should not have been restarted until the new keeper was dressed. Given that the referee apparantly allowed play to start too soon, I would guess he allowed the keeper to make the save without putting on the jersey.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Ok aside from just poor handling of this by the official in certain leagues only substitutions are made on ball posession. In otherwords was the stoppage as a goal kick for the opponent and thus the request to change keepers for the other team was against the stated substitution directions? I know that some leagues make up substitution guidelines that limit when subs are made? But this is a switch of positions not a substitution.
Changing the Goalkeeper
Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that:
the referee is informed before the change is made;
the change is made during a stoppage in the match.
The referee should have waited to restart until the exchange was completed. Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 12185