Question Number: 15025

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/22/2007

RE: Rec Adult

Drew Siverling of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania USA asks...

At what point does a goalie have control of a ball? For example the ball is rolling towards the goal, the goalie dives, gets a hand on top of the ball which is then kicked by an offensive player into the goal.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

1 finger between the ball and the ground is considered possession. A ball bouncing off the keepers fingertips is NOT considered to be possession of the ball.

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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The answer to your question is found in Law 12, Decision of the IFAB #2: The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with any part of his hand or arms. Possession of the ball includes the goalkeeper deliberately parrying the ball, but does not include the circumstances where, in the opinion of the referee, the ball rebounds accidentally from the goalkeeper, for example after he has made a save.

Clearly, in your case there can be no goal because once the keeper has possession his opponents MUST allow him to release it from his hands. They may not play in a dangerous manner nor kick or attempt to kick the keeper.

Regards,

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Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

Pinky finger nail works.

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