Question Number: 17924

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/15/2007

RE: rec Under 14

tiffani of burbank, CA United States asks...

area where the golie privalages are in effect

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The goalkeeper always has the privilege, nay the duty, to wear the fancy spiderman jersey. Goalkeepers only have special superhero powers inside their own penalty area, which extends 18 yards from the goal on a full-size field. They are the only players who may legally handle the ball, and only when they are within this area.

Law 12 gives 4 situations when the goalkeeper is not allowed to handle the ball, even inside the PA:
* takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession
* touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player
* touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate
* touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Is called the penalty area. On a regulation sized field it's 18 by 44 yards. Inside this area the keeper may handle the ball and once he has control of the ball with his hands he may not be challenged. After obtaining possession he must release the ball into play within 6 seconds.