Question Number: 17115

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/5/2007

RE: REC Under 12

Clarence Kennedy of Laurel, Maryland USA asks...

I have a keeper who while making a punt out of the goal/penalty box steps over the line and is given a handling the ball call awarded to the other team. What should the restart be? Direct or Indirect Free Kick from the spot of the foul.

Again the foul obviously occurred outside of the penalty area due to the keeper stepping over the line of the goal area while punting.

Thank you in advance,

Clarence

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Stepping out is not a foul! Often the punt occurs several yards outside as it is tossed forward from the hands just prior to stepping out. Perfectly ok! The Keeper while holding the ball in his hands must completely carry the ball outside the penalty area before releasing the ball.
IF the transgression is not trivial, doubtful or looked at as a warning it can ONLY be a DFK from JUST outsde the penalty area boundry line!
Cheers.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

I agree with Ref Dawson, the foul/offense is not stepping out of the penalty area, it is using his hands to hold the ball outside of the penalty area. That offense is called deliberately handling the ball and as it is a Law 12 offense, is punishable by a direct free kick. The question is whether or not the ball was still in his hands when his hands left the penalty area, or had he already dropped in anticipation of the punt?