Question Number: 15736

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/9/2007

RE: rec Adult

richard jennings of hewitt, n.j. america asks...

is it leagal for the goalie to shout, "keeper" ,as he comes out to challange an attacker?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Admittedly if there was a one on one situation the need for a keeper to scream "keeper? could be construed as inappropriate far easier then in a crowd!

Most opponents are not put off by the keeper?s short succinct communication yelling, "Keeper" is the cry to all teammates, " Do not make a play on the ball, that ball is MINE! Stay out of the way! The keeper by virtue of position is often best placed to see the overall layout of attackers and defenders and as the last line of defense responsibility for keeping the ball out of his goal he tends to take CONTROL of the penalty area crosses.

Only if the word was used to UNFAIRLY intimidate or distract an opponent possibly screaming into his ear as you go up for the ball! In that at case screaming the word "keeper" is not much different than screaming "Arrrrrgh!" or some equally inane comment to harass an opponent.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes, provided he does not do anything in an unsporting manner. The keeper can yell "got it" as a method of communication to his teammates.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Ref Dawson answers from the referee's view, I will attempt to give the goalkeeper's thoughts. When I yelled "KEEPER" it was directed to my team mates. It was fair warning that I was going to make a play for the ball and I didn't need help any more. It also indicated the force with I was going to have to use, it was fair warning to my guys and apology in advance of any bumps they may sustain if they chose to continue helping out. The opposing forwards usually caught on early in the match. I DID NOT use this to scare off an opponent when the ball was there for both of us, apologies to the opponents would have to be the after kind... I usually would never pull out of a challenge if we were going to get there at the same time and would reposition if he was there first so his first touch must be perfect.

Thing is I let his skill and the skill of his mates to beat me, not my foul play because yelling to put him off is misconduct. Yelling to my side is not misconduct, it is fair warning. Right up to the time the referee tells me otherwise...

Regards,