Question Number: 15960

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/7/2007

RE: Rec Under 12

Adam Guest of London, UK asks...

If a striker hits the ball at a goalkeeper who bends over and stops the ball with one hand instead of two and another striker then kicks the ball out of the goalkeeper's is the goal allowed? Thank you for any opinions.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Adam,
if the referee can recognize the ball is in solid contact with the hand that ball is in possession of the keeper and can not be challanged. Sometimes the ball will bobble or the hand is not in solid contact and such a ball may be challanged. No ball can be kicked out of a keeper's hand control even if but a finger is in contact with the ball. If the keeper's hand was on top of the ball pinning it to the ground and a striker kicked the ball out from under the hand. It is a DFK out, no goal, possible caution or even a remote send off to the attacker. There are times when the foot and hand arrive at the same time making it difficult to decide but if it is clear the keeper has possession with any part of the hand or arm (this means contact with the ball) the opponents are not to challange!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

One hand is all that is needed for the keeper to be in possession of the ball. If the ball is not in control, then it is not considered to be in the keepers possession. If the attacker kicked the keeper carelesslely, recklessly, or with excessive force, then the restart is a dfk for the keepers team. If the attacker prevented the keeper from releasing the ball with his hands, then the restart is a IFK.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If you pose this question often enough sooner or later you'll hear the famous "all it takes is one finger to establish control". If the keeper has possession with one hand, the opponents may not challenge for the ball. If an opponent kicks the ball, at the least no goal, DFK to keeper's team