Question Number: 14830

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/11/2007

RE: High School

Jerry of Ukarumpa, EHP Papua New Guinea asks...

"It is an offence for a player to prevent a goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands", but it seems like it is OK for someone to block a goalkeeper's punt?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The goalkeeper must be allowed to release the ball from his hands, opponents should be penalised for blocking the punt and upon repetition cautioned for persistent infringement. As referee don't allow this, as player don't do it.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

It is not ok to block the keepers punt. If the keeper grabs ball, opponents do not need to mvoe out of way. They can stand in the position they were in. If the keeper moves however and the attacker moves in front of keeper, then it becomes a problem and a possible caution is in order.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jerry,
the general rule of thumb is within the 6 seconds a keeper is allowed to muck about inside his penalty area while holding on to the ball no opponent can shadow the keeper by making him detour, the opponent can follow along just out of playing distance or an opponent can stand still and the keeper has ever opportunity to go around him rather than punt the ball into the opponent.
Consider these FIFA Q@A responses which answers to the basic premise of your questions.
16. A goalkeeper holding the ball bounces it before he kicks it upfi eld. Is it an offence to bounce the ball?
No. In the spirit of the Law he would not be regarded as having
released the ball from his possession.
17. If a goalkeeper is bouncing the ball, may an opponent play the ball as it touches the ground?
No.
18. After taking possession of the ball, a goalkeeper allows it to lie on his open hand. An opponent comes from behind him and heads the ball from his hand. Is this permitted?
No.
19. As a goalkeeper releases the ball to kick it into play, an opponent
intercepts it before it touches the ground. Is this permitted?
No. It is an offence to prevent a goalkeeper releasing the ball from his
hands. The releasing of the ball from his hands and the kicking of the
ball is considered to be a single action.

If the keeper tosses the ball down in front of him and the ball rolls away after hitting the ground then that ball is available to be challenged as it HAS been released from posession! It is the ball from hand to foot motion that can not be interupted, however, once the ball is rolling on the ground she is free to be challenged!
Cheers