Question Number: 15218

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/19/2007

RE: Competitive High School

Jerry Marion of Rockton, il USA asks...

Defender makes a 20 yard pass back to his keeper to relieve pressure. Keeper picks up the ball to punt away. Ref makes the call but his restart was made from the point where the defender makes the pass. At half time we discuss and it did not go well. Where should have the indirect free kick been taken. This ref wants to bet me $50.00. His Idea! May need your credentials to collect.

Thanks, Great site!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Thanks for the donation Jerry, after you collect your winnings please send them along, half is fine, to help defray the costs in running AskTheRef. The point of the infraction is where the free kick is awarded, unless in the goal area [high school]. The restart is indirect.

Of course if the referee feels like welching on the bet he can send the entire amount to the site...

I hate to say this, you're right coach!!! Ooohhhh that hurt.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I'll take my cut also. Take the bet. Referee should know better. Restart where keeper picked up the ball subject to Special Circumstances of Law 8. Indirect free kick

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jerry,
$50.00? hmmmm
Well it is not an infringement for a defender to pass the ball back to his keeper, unless he circumvented the law to do so. If this was true the indfk takes place from that point it does not matter if the keeper uses his hands or not, the infringement occurs the instant the referee recognizes a defender is trying to cheat the laws!

Note Decision 3 LAW 12 Fouls and Misconduct Decision 3
Subject to the terms of Law 12 , a player may pass the ball to his own goalkeeper using his head or chest or knee, etc. If, however, in the opinion of the referee, a player uses a deliberate trick while the ball is in play in order to circumvent the Law, the player is guilty of unsporting behavior. He is cautioned, shown the yellow card and an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred.
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It is NOT an infringement for a keeper to use his hands on the ball inside his own penalty area unless that ball was deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate.
I will assume your situation was in fact a violation of law 12 point 3 of the 4 points detailing illegal handling by the keeper
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area:
-touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate

The indirect free kick is taken from where the offence occurred. subject to the special circumstances of law 8 inside the goal area*
Special Circumstances
An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team in its opponents? goal area is taken from the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.

It is true that most attempts to engage a referee in conversation regarding decisions in a match generally are unfavorable either because they are wrong and nothing can be done to change that or they are right and nothing can change that either!
Best to record and report to the league so the referee can receive an update in the training logs. I coach and try using my captains when allowed to request clarification. I do not want to perpetuate a myth here as the captain have no special status but they are the likely conduit of information if the referee was amicable. Coach to referee rarely goes well in the heated moments.

Cheers