Question Number: 17214

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/9/2007

RE: Jr. High competitive Under 14

Ann of Blairsville, PA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 1111

I have a question about the goalie touching the ball with their hands after it has touched their feet. 1) If an attacker shoots on goal and the ball hits the goalie's feet, can she then still pick it up with her hands or does she now need to continue to use her feet? 2) If the goalie has the ball in her hands and accidentally drops it and the ball touches her feet, can she pick it up with her hands or must she now continue to use her feet? 3) If the ball is deflected off the goalpost and hits the goalie's feet, can she pick it up with her hands, or must she continue to use her feet?
Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

1) She may use her hands.

2) It is an offense for a goalkeeper to regain hand possession of the ball, unless it is first touched by another player. Bouncing the ball or tossing it up into the air are considered to be continuous possession. If while bouncing it she manages to lose control, she may not handle it again - although the referee will likely see it as a doubtful or trifling offense that doesn't need to be called if the distance is small and there are no opponents nearby waiting to pounce.

3) How did the ball get propelled into the goalpost? That makes a great deal of difference. If it was kicked there by a teammate, the goalkeeper is not permitted to handle the ball. (Again, the ref may see the offense as doubtful or trifling, and decide it need not be called.) If the ball got to the post by any method other than a teammate's deliberate kick or throw-in, she is free to pick it up.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. She may touch the ball with her hands since it was played by an opponent. 2. Once she releases control of the ball from her hands, she may not subsequently handle the ball until it touches another player. 3. I'll have to say yes with the understanding that I believe in this instance if a teammate kicked the ball that close to the goal that they were not deliberately kicking the ball to the keeper.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 23145