Question Number: 15585

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/23/2007

RE: Rec Under 11

Troy of El Sobrante, CA USA asks...

My question is what constitutes possession of the soccerball for the goalie

U10 game

During the course of the game, the goalie picked up the soccerball, put the ball down on the turf setting up for a goal kick and adjusted the ball for the kick.

I understand that this would be in violation of rule 12. My question is why is the bouncing of the soccerball or throwing the ball up in the air not a violation. I am just trying to understand the distinction.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

It is just a decision made by FIFA. Many keepers do this to help with momentum of the kick and it would be considered trifiling to call this.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Trying to understand a Game from another land is difficult enough when you live in a place where rule books take weeks to read instead of minutes. In England where this Game, in its present form, originated fathers teach their kids what their fathers taught them. The Game is maintained as a living history and in that statement one understands things are the way they are just because. For the most, America is stupid about Football -- there are very few fathers teaching their kids what their father's taught them.

We learn the Game from out first coach. He learned it from, for the most, trial and error.

Some of us, on the panel, learned it from our fathers; some from teachers who knew The Game, still others are learning it the way you are, by asking questions. You ask about the goal tender bouncing the ball or throwing it into the air. The answer is because its always been that way. Historical precedent allows it!!

It goes against our grain to play a Game and follow unwritten "rules" just because of historical precedent. Over there, wherever there happens to be, they look at us and wonder why in the world we don't know the little things about The Game.

My father still has no clue about this Game, he enjoys baseball, basketball and pointy ball football, games that have breaks for commercials.

Regards,