Question Number: 15377

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/3/2007

RE: Grade 8 (1 year experience)

Mike Dreyfus of Germantown, Tn USA asks...

The following 2 scenarios were recently asked of me. I wasn't certain of the correct anwers.

Q1) Keeper posseses the ball outside the 18 and dribbles it back inside the 18. Keeper then picks up the ball. Is it then considered a hand ball? ...or is he allowed to continue play?


Q2) If the keeper posseses the ball inside the 18 and bounces the ball before punting it or passing to another player, is that cosnsidered a hand ball or other infraction? I've never seen this called a foul nor would I think to call it one, but technically, would it be?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The goalkeeper can never commit the offense of deliberately handling the ball (not handball) while it is inside his own penalty area.

Q1) - It depends on how the ball got to the keeper. As you know, a goalkeeper cannot pick up a ball that is deliberately kicked to him by a teammate, or that he receives directly from a throw-in taken by a teammate. If the keeper receives the ball in any other manner, he may use his hands - even if he dribbles the ball about first.

Q2) - Goalkeepers are allowed to bounce the ball during the 6 seconds of possession they are allowed. They may also toss the ball into the air and catch it again. I'm not sure just why they do so, because if they lose possession of the ball while doing so they cannot pick it up again.

If you haven't yet seen the USSF document, "Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game", I would advise you to get a copy and study it. Questions such as these are covered in the document. You can read it online at http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/AdvicetoRef06.pdf or a hard copy can be ordered from US Soccer.

Remember, some referees have 10 years experience, others have one year of experience repeated 10 times. Best of luck in your reffing career, and make the most of the experiences you have now so that you will be even better in the future.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. Depends upon how he got the ball outside the penalty area. If from a deliberate kick or throw from a teammate, he still may not deliberately handle the ball even if inside his own penalty area, .2. This is dealt with specifically at the FIFA Q&A site. The keeper is considered to be in possession of the ball while throwing it in the air or bouncing it on the ground. He still has only 6 seconds to releaase it but may not be challenged during that time same as if he were holding it