Question Number: 16801

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/20/2007

RE: Rec Under 15

Kelly of Orange Park, FL Clay asks...

When a defender kicks the ball back to the goalie inside the goalie box. Is it a Penalty kick, a direct kick, or indirect kick?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Nothing is wrong unless the goakleeper uses his hands Kelly. If he does it is an indirect free kick.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

And it may not even be this if the kick was not done deliberately. Remember, we are to distiguish obvious kicks to the keeper from inadvertent misplays of the ball. Also, NEVER EVER is a penalty kick awarded for ANY keeper handling violation!!!! If it's inside the penalty area always an indirect free kick and if outside the PA a direct free kick

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

1) Was it kicked with the foot by the defender? (not the shin, ankle, knee or thigh) 2) Was it kicked deliberately (not accidentally) to a place where the goalkeeper could reach it? 3) Was the purpose apparently to waste time? (Was the defender under a lot of pressure and just getting rid of the ball versus actually directing where it went?) 4) Did the goalkeeper actually pick it up with his hands? If the answers to 1-4 above were yes, then you should blow your whistle and award an indirect free kick from the spot where the keeper picked it up, unless it was in the goal area (6 yard/smaller area) in which case it will be at the top of the goal area line closest to where the GK picked it up. All of this can be found in the USSF publication, the Advice to Referees.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

It is nothing as long as the keeper does not handle the ball. If he does, then it is a ifk for the opponents at spot of handling. If in goal area, then the ifk occurs from the point ontop of goal area closest to the infraction.