Question Number: 17996

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/25/2007

RE: rec Under 10

Dave of Agoura hills, CA USA asks...

If when attempting to punt a ball after a save the goalie steps over the goal box line is a direct or indirect kick awarded to to the opposing team?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Dave to answer your question I must make some assumptions.

1. When you speak of the goal box line you actually mean the 18x44 yard area in front of each goal that is known as the penalty area not the 6x20 yard area in front of each goal known as the goal area.

2. When you see the goalkeeper step out of the penalty area you also see him holding the ball in his hand[s] outside of that area.

3. The distance the keeper has carried the ball out of his penalty area is a matter of inches.

4. The referee sees this same thing.

5. The referee or his assistant has not spoken to the goalkeeper about this insignificant transgression on more than two occasions.

6. The lines marking the penalty area are clear, bright and absolutely straight.

Given all of these things going against the keeper and him continuing to carry the ball outside his penalty area the restart from this infraction is a direct free kick. NOTE: it is a most difficult thing for a soccer parent to know if all six of the things I mentioned are true. Further, it ain't usually a big thing for the keeper to have the ball in his hand 3 millimeters outside his penalty area so were going to try to remind him to take more care and offer basic instruction rather than whistle for this. Granted if he is 2-3 meters out or doesn't heed warnings whistling does indeed teach a lesson. The referee would also find cautioning and showing the goalkeeper the yellow card for persistent infringement quite useful in teaching a keeper who chooses not to heed warnings and whistles. Again this is a most difficult thing for the average soccer parent to sort out on the touchline during a match.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

In no case could this EVER result in an indirect free kick but we don't have enough information to answer your question. The keeper may step anywhere she wants. The only important thing to consider in your question is where the BALL and her HANDS are. Supposing you meant to ask what is the punishment for the keeper carrying the ball with her hands over the boundary of her penalty area line, the answer would be either nothing or a direct free kick. ANY player deemed guilty of deliberately handling the ball outside their own penalty area will have a direct free kick awarded the opponents. Outside her penalty area, the keeper is treated like any other player. But my first answer to you was no foul? Why is that you may ask? Because the referee is given the authority to view any infraction and deem it to be trifling. At U10 Rec, the keeper carrying the ball a foot or so over the penalty area line would probably just get a word from the referee to be more careful in the future as this infraction would not disadvantage the opponents. It's a judgement call by the referee but most of us with any experience would not punish such a trivial infraction

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Dave,
As you may gather from the information of my colleagues we must assume a few things. It is likely, given the age you state as the game pertains, it could be an adjusted mini field and possibly the goal area is in fact the goal/penalty area, an arc surrounding the goal. It is also possible that there is a league policy to only award INDFKs for any infraction such is the mindset of what people feel is fair or safe for young aged soccer players.

That said, the laws governing stepping outside of the area where a keeper CAN use their hands are in fact non existent. Simply it is not a foul to step outside their restricted area. The keeper must carry the ball in their hands or use their hands deliberately on the ball while the ball is COMPLETELY outside the boundary lines. the location of feet or body parts are not part of the consideration! Where is the BALL in relationship to the boundary lines when it it is deliberately handled!
Cheers