Question Number: 16864

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/24/2007

RE: competetive Under 12

Jose Salazar of CENTENNIAL, CO usa asks...

Is the ball in play when a keeper bounces the ball before they punt? Can our player attempt to take it when they release it from their hand?

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

Yes the ball is in play -- it never left play in this scenario -- but it is also still in the possession of the goal keeper. Yes, your player could attempt to take it away, but will get a caution and an indirect free kick awarded against your team in the process. Bottom line, the goal keeper has retained possession of the ball and may not be challenged for it by their opponent.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

IFAB and FIFA did us no favors a few years back, when they had an item in the Q&A publication that allowed this for one year. The next year they reversed the answer. Myths are much harder to kill than to start, especially if at the time they start they are the truth.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If the goalkeeper has the ball in his hands and is going to punt, the ball is in play since it hasn't left the field and the referee hasn't blown her whistle - the only times when it isn't in play. If your player attempts to take the ball from the goalkeeper while he is in the process of releasing it into play, the very least that will happen is an indirect free kick against your team. Most likely the player will receive a caution for unsporting behavior, and possibly, depending on whether or not your player made contact with the keeper in the process of trying to take it away, a direct free kick for kicking or attempting to kick the GK or another Law 12 offense. And such behavior pisses off the referee because now she has to deal with upset defenders and goalkeepers - never a good idea to piss off the referee, you know?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Not anymore. The keeper cannot be challenged if he bounces the ball before the punt.