Question Number: 17067

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/3/2007

RE: High School High School

James of Lexington, Ohio USA asks...

Two quick keeper question's. At a match this week I saw 2 what I felt were strange plays by the opposing teams keeper. First the keeper is about 20 feet outside the 18 and one of his defenders drop a ball back to from the defenders feet the keeper dribbles the ball back into the box then picks it up and punts it. Is this legal? The other was when the same keeper picked up a ball near the end line carries it near the 18 drop the ball to his feet to use time after dribbling in the box for a bit picked up the ball and punted it. Is this legal?

On neither occasion did the ref call a foul.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

1. If the ball was kicked with the foot deliberately to the goalkeeper by one of his teammates, then the keeper dribbles it into the penalty area and picks it up, the referee should stop play and award and indirect free kick from the place where the keeper picked up the ball. If the ball was not deliberately kicked to him (from the foot) by a teammate then this is permitted.

The act of dribbling into the penalty area is irrelevant when judging this offense. It does not change whether or not the keeper is permitted to handle the ball.

2. The keeper is not permitted to do this. Once he places the ball on the ground he is considered to have put the ball into play and after he does this he may not pick it up again until it has touched another player. The penalty is (and in this case, should have been) an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the place where the keeper picked up the ball a second time.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

First (if I understand what you are saying) The keeper's teammate deliberately kicked the ball to the keeper who then dribbled it into his penalty area. He may NOT handle it. Second This is a second touch as he released the ball from his hands then picked it up again before it had touched another player. Both of these infractions should have resulted in an indirect free kick for the opponents.