Question Number: 16686

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/14/2007

Heidi Reynaud of Truckee, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14175

If the Keeper is bouncing the ball, does the six second rule still apply? In other words, once the Keeper picks up the ball does the clock start running or does that change with the bounce? I also read somewhere that when the Keeper is bouncing the ball, Offense can attack?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The clock is running on the keeper's six seconds from the moment she is able to put the ball back into play. Remember the reason we have the six second rule is to help prevent time wasting. Therefore, the time the keeper is bouncing the ball is included in the six seconds, since they can at any time return it to play. But, if the keeper caught the ball in a full out stretch, hit the ground hard, and has to lay there a moment to pull themselves back together, the referee should not begin counting until the keeper is up, with the ball, and ready to return it to play, because until then they aren't wasting time as much as using it to recover. If necessary, add time back on at the end of the half if it takes longer than usual for the keeper to get back up. As for whether the offense can attack the goalkeeper while he is bouncing it, the answer is NO. While bouncing the ball, the keeper is considered to be in control and possession of the ball, and no player is allowed to interfere with him putting the ball back into play. Thus the reason for the six seconds - the GK can hold it and bounce it unmolested by other players, but not forever - just for six seconds. If more than that, an indirect free kick can be awarded against the keeper's team from the point where he was holding it when the 6 seconds was up, or at the top of the goal area line if it was in the goal area.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

From 1 July 2005 until 1 July 2006 FIFA allowed a keeper bouncing the ball to be challenged as the ball hit the ground. The keeper could not be touched but the ball could be kicked away. This was infinite wisdom personified. It was, thankfully, dropped from the Questions & Answers.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes it is. Otherwise the keeper could just keep bouncing ball for more time. He has 6 seconds and that includes the time the ball hits the ground.