Question Number: 16051

Law 14 - Penalty kick 7/16/2007

RE: U12 A Under 13

Don Gallant of montreal, Quebec Canada asks...

In a recent match the opposing team was awarded a penalty kick. The kicker took his shot and our keeper deflected the ball up and it rebounded off the crossbar and back to the penalty kicker without touching anyone else. He had fallen and was allowed to play the ball while down and proceeded to score...Is this a legal play, as the rebound was directly off the crossbar and only indirectly from the keeper?

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

Once the ball has been played by ANY other player on the field then it is "free game" and the kicker can once again play the ball. GOAL - I regret to say for you. All the best,

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

It only has to touch a player for the kicker to be able to touch the ball again. The keeper saved the ball onto he bar and the kicker then has every right to score. Goal

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

This is ok because the keeper touched the ball before it hit the cross bar. Thus any player may now play the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 14 says if "The kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
* an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred"

The goalkeeper is a player, and the ball touched the keeper.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Coach you state your keeper deflected the shot! For him to accomplish that feat he must touch the ball. Your keeper is another player. The kicker may not touch the ball again until it touches another player.

The referee has allowed play to continue and allowed a goal to be won in accordance with the Law.

Regards,