Question Number: 15136

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/8/2007

RE: High School

Walter F Lee of Trinidad, Colorado USA asks...

Can the Keeper come out of the eighteen yard box and dribble the ball back into the box then pick it up?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The answer depends on how the goalkeeper came to receive the ball. If the ball came to him after being deliberately passed back to him by his teammate, from the teammate's foot or directly from a teammates throw-in, then no he cannot.

He also could not have had the ball in his hands and released the ball into play only to pick it up a second time without it touching another player.

If it came to him in any other way then yes, he may do this.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Walter, it is far better to memorize when the goalkeeper may NOT handle the ball. In all but those instances he is within the Law if the ball is inside his own penalty area.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

It depends. Did the ball come in directly from a throw in by his own teammate? Did his teammate deliberate kick the ball to an area that his keeper could then retrieve it (aka: deliberately passing by kick to the goal keeper)? If yes, then no, the goal keeper may not play the ball with his hands. He can play the ball with his feet and take it anywhere he wants. He just cannot pick it up--regardless of where he is.

Or was this ball played forward or thrown in by an opponent and the goal keeper is collecting it directly from such play? If yes, then yes. The keeper may get the ball outside the penalty area, dribble it in, and then pick it up. He then has 6 seconds to release the ball from his possession.