Question Number: 16733

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/16/2007

RE: Select Other

Siobhan of Burke, VA USA asks...

While ARing a select game, the goalie of the home team clearly carried the ball outside the penalty area twice during one play. She carried it out the sideline of the penalty area and took several running strides carrying the ball. The other AR raised his flag for the infringement. The Center waived him off. She proceeded to carry the ball back into the box and then carry it across the top of the penalty area before punting it at least 3 yds outside the box. Again, the AR signaled the infringement and the Center waived him off a second time. The punt was received by a forward who took one touch and then shot + scored.

The Center ref then took time to "talk with" the goalie cautioning her to be careful about carrying out of the box, but took no other action.

At the conclusion of the game, in hearing of the opposing coach, the Center approached both ARs and unprompted said that in his judgement her momentum had carried her out of the box both times in the single play. He instructed myself and my fellow AR that the goalie is allowed to carry the ball outside the box if his/her momentum propels the goalie out of the box. I have never heard this interpretation before. Could you tell me if this is accurate?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Simply running outside under momentume with the ball is not as serious as going outside to get the ball! We might see faded lines or a slippery surface as some justification but three yards is pretty blatant about it. While we can consider a punt out as a release of the ball in play as a trivial infraction again three yards is a lot if the ball is actually held in the hands and not being tossed to make it unclear. To wave off the AR is serious stuff to do it twice in quick succession for the same thing means nothing much covered in the pregame. We like to let the game flow and avoid calling minor stuff if it does not truly affect the game. I suppose one could say the huge kick and the great shot scoring the goal were arrived at unfairly but it smacks of some very poor defending and standing around as well as a short field perhaps?
The referee is completely wrong in saying the goalie is allowed to do as she did. She is not in fact and while it could be harsh a DFK from just otside the box is the only correct call should it be deemed as not trivial or doubtful! We do considr age and skill and a first time but three yards is a big distance where a step out of a few inches even feet might not be!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Well that's a new one. The referee should simply say that he thought the offense trifling and it did not need to be called.

When the AR saw the keeper 3 yards beyond the line, was she still holding the ball in her hands at that point? 3 yards is quite a distance to "miss" seeing the line. Or had she actually let the ball go back at or near the 18, and her foot made contact 3 yards out? Galileo showed nearly 5 centuries ago that a ball in motion will continue in motion when the person holding it lets it go - it does not drop straight down.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

There is no rule stating that the momentum of the keeper allows her to carry the ball over the boundary of the penalty area. What the center referee should have said was that, in his opinion, the carrying over of the ball a few yards did not influence play and was trifling so he waved off the AR. In this he IS supported by the Law.