Question Number: 16911

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/26/2007

RE: Rec Adult

Gar of Frisco, Texas USA asks...

An opposing player plays a ball into the defenders penalty area. The balls rolls through the area and out the side without touching another player and remains in the field of play. Is it legal for the defending goalkeper to gather the ball with his feet outside the area, dribble it back into the area and then pick it up? Keeping in mind the ball was played by the opposition and never touched by a defensive player other than the GK. Any guidance on this would be appreciated, especially if it includes link or reference to the rule in question.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Of course this is permitted.

The goalkeeper is allowed to handle any ball within his own penalty area with the following exceptions:
1. A ball that has been kicked deliberately to him by his teammate.
2. A teammate's throw-in.
3. A ball that he has released into play and has not yet touched by another player.

Read Law 12 in the laws of the game. This will cover all of the offenses of the goalkeeper.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This is perfectly OK.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Gar,
law 12 lists the four INDFK offences the keeper could be quilty of if there are handling restrictions in place.

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper,
inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:
? takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his
hands before releasing it from his possession
? touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released
from his possession and has not touched any other player
? touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked
to him by a team-mate
? touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate

The reason you do not see in law what you ask is because there is no restriction in law on a keeper acting as a player? The keeper has special use of hishands on the ball inside his area that is the only difference. If an ordinary player dribbled the ball into his penalty area and then out and back in again do you see a crime? As a coach not exactly the best defensive tactic but as long as that player does not use his hands because UNLIKE the keeper he does not possess that special advantage!! The keeper only has to be aware once he venturs outside his area to retrieve the ball not to use his hands until (1) he is back inside or if that ball was deliberately kicked or directly throw in to him by a team mate or he had already had the ball for 6 seconds and released it back into play. You see where this is going?
Cheers