Question Number: 18004

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/26/2007

RE: rec Other

Brad of Ellicott City, MD USA asks...

If the keeper has the ball w/ only one finger on it and the ball is on the ground does he/she have possession

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the ball is pinned between the keeper's hand and the ground by as little as one finger, she has possession. Notice we didn't say the ball brushed against her pinky; rather she pinned it to the ground.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Brad, re-read Decision 2, Law 12 in the LOTG. And remember to take into account the ages and skills of the players with any decisions involving goalkeepers and safety. The younger and less skilled they are, the sooner we intervene for safety's sake. If a goalkeeper has some part of their hand or arm touching the ball, then the ball is out of play for all other players until the goalkeeper releases it back into play, or until 6 seconds are up, whichever comes first. So, if a goalkeeper is lying on the ground and has his hand curled around the ball, he is in possession, and no one may challenge him for the ball. The same is true if he has reached for the ball and has succeeded in getting a finger on it. Anyone who does will be charged with an IDFK at the least and stands to possibly receive a caution for UB, depending on the referee's opinion of what has transpired.