Question Number: 35903

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/6/2025

RE: Competiive Under 13

Axim of Albuquerque, NM USA asks...

The goalkeeper for our team does an unorthodox control is maintained when a goalie bounces the ball and then is distributing via the drop kick, any challenging or impeding the distribution should be a violation. Is there a reason why this approach for a dropkick would allow the opposing team to challenge the goalie?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Axim, Law 12 says it is an offence if a player:

"prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands or kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it"

In the final analysis, no matter what exact technique the goalkeeper uses prior to releasing the ball from their hands, an opponent is still not allowed to prevent them from doing so.

So I suppose the answer to your question is no, there is no reason I can think of, that would mean an opponent is allowed to prevent the goalkeeper from releasing the ball just because they are using an unusual technique.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Axim
Law 12 tell us and I quote
**A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball with the hand(s) when:…..

# holding the ball in the outstretched open hand
# bouncing it on the ground or throwing it in the air.
A goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball with the hand(s).**

Add in the quote from Referee Grove and it is clear that a goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent while in control of the ball and to do so is an offence punished by a free kick.

Now when a goalkeeper introduces an unorthodox method of running with the ball by say bouncing the ball that has the potential to perhaps encourage opponents to challenge which is not a good tactic in my opinion particularly when there is no real benefit in it. Add in the potential to mis control a bounce that can causes potential issues.
In years gone by when a goalkeeper could not take more than four steps with the ball then bouncing and rolling the ball was common place. That was removed from the Laws many years ago so as you know it is now common practice for goalkeepers to run with the ball before punting it.

So the answer is that the goalkeeper cannot be challenged while bouncing the ball yet why do it when it is of no real benefit