Question Number: 15045

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/26/2007

RE: Recreational Under 15

Tom of Long Island, New York USA asks...

I have a question about the goal keeper handling a ball. If an attacker kicks the ball at the goal and the keeper catches the ball within the Goal Area and instead of kicking it out right away he dribbles the ball forward towards the goal line is he allowed to then pick up the ball (still within the goal area) and kick it out?

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

No. He caught it -- that's fine. Then he released it from his hands to his feet. Once he releases the ball from his hands, he may no longer pick it up again until it has been touched by another player (and obviously not from a pass kicked to him by a teammate).

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Once a keeper handles the ball he must release it into play within six seconds. When he releases if from his hands he may not use his hands to play the ball until it has been touched by another player whether he in in or outside his own penalty area.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If the keeper released it from his possession, then he must wait until a player touches ball before he can touch ball with hands again.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If he caught it with his hands, then releases it, he may not handle it again until it has touched another player. Of course, if a teammate deliberately kicks the ball to him, he may not handle it.