Question Number: 14893

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/24/2007

RE: Under 14

H of Pen, B.C. C asks...

is this true or false? the goalie can only hold the ball for 6 seconds before releasing it into play? true or false. thx

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

True, However, Law 5 gives the referee the power to ignore and offence he or she deems trifling. So, if the keeper holds the ball for 7 or 8 seconds, who cares?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

TRUE
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:
takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession


If within his own penalty area a keeper has 6 seconds of uncontested CONTROLLED posession. We tend to let a keeper get to his or her feet with the ball firmly controled within the hands before we apply the 6 seconds. Mind you we do not let the keeper lie on top of the ball for an unreasonable time either! The purpose is to keep the match flowing so a few 5 and 6 counts as a warning by a referee tends to get the keeper to get the ball away if he tries to be cute with the time stretching it to 7, 8, or 9 seconds.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Law 12 says 6 seconds is the maximum, so true is the answer. But -- we usually just speak with the keeper before pulling her up for too much time.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

True. keeper has 5-6 seconds to release ball after it is in his/her possession.