Question Number: 17226

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/10/2007

RE: competive Under 13

Ron of West Liberty, Ohio USA asks...

During our last match the other teams goalie when punting the ball would have the forward foot on the ground outside of the penalty box before contact was made with the ball.

When is the goalie considered outside of the penalty box? Is this a hand ball?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball when it - the ball - is in her penalty area. She may be almost entirely outside the area, with just an arm stretching inside holding the ball, and all is fine.

Most likely on the punts you saw, the goalkeeper released the ball while she was still inside the PA. The ball continues to move forward with her. Even if the punt happens after both she and the ball have passed the boundary line of the PA, there is no offense.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This is not gridiron football wherein a foot on a line causes the ball to be out of play even though the ball remains well inside the field of play. This is not basketball where the ball ten rows back in the stands is playable so long as the player's feet don't touch the ground.

This is Association Football where the ball must be entirely across the extended vertical plane of the line before it is no longer in a particular area. Here the player's feet don't matter unless he kicks an opponent in a careless, reckless or excessively forceful manner.

So in answer to your first question, the goalie is considered outside the penalty area when he is. The second -- why would it matter if it is hand ball because hand ball is not mentioned in the Laws of the Game as something that should or should not be done.

If a goalkeeper deliberately plays the ball with his hands or arms when the ball is outside his own penalty area that is an offence punishable by a direct free kick not a hand ball. There is a difference! Those yelling hand ball every time the ball touches a hand or arm don't understand the difference yet, however they still insist on voicing their [incorrect] opinion. It seems the louder they yell the less they know.

Now you know Ron so you don't have to yell hand ball any more, cool.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It doesn't matter when the goalkeeper is outside the penalty area it only matters when the BALL is outside the penalty area. It is perfectly ok for the keeper to release the ball before it leaves the penalty area but not contact it until outside the penalty area. Also, the keeper coming a slight distance over the penalty area boundary line with the ball will probably be considered a trifling offence by most referees.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

When the ball is in his hands and the whole ball is out of the penalty area.