Question Number: 17610

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/1/2007

Daniel of North Hollywood, Calif USA asks...

I've been to a slew of MLS games and noticed that the goalie never handles the ball when passed to him by a teammate - but does handle it when the ball was trapped, or headed to him from a teammate. So I asked a buddy "who knows the rules" and he confirmed that exactly.

So I was my kid's AYSO U12 game last weekend and noticed that the goalie handled it when it was directly passed by a teammate - i asked our coach if that was a rule violation, he looked at me like I was crazy. I asked the ref after the game and he looked at me like i was crazy.

So, what's the deal - is this a MLS centric rule? I'm totally confused.

Many kind thanks.

Danny

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

A goal keeper may not handle the ball in their own penalty area if it has been deliberately kicked to him (or to a space that he can play) by a member of his own team. Kicked is defined as using the part of the body below the ankle.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Notice the word "deliberately". When you watch MLS it is always obvious. At U-Littles, it's not so obvious. That said, any certified referee should be able to explain this to you. Oftentimes at AYSO games you do NOT have a USSF certified referee.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Some recreational leagues, and even lower age select, do away with rules they don't seem to think are important. This so-called "pass-back" rule - and that's the way they usually write it - is often one of them.