Question Number: 35915

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/15/2025

RE: Grade 4 Adult

A CHALMERS of Nelson, New Zealand asks...

Player on blue team plays a high through ball into the box.

Defending green team CB chests the ball down and controls it at their feet inside the 6 yard box.

Green Keeper is calling for it the whole time.

Green CB takes final controlling touch with their foot and leaves the ball in the 6 yard box.

Green keeper picks up the ball to play it.

Is this a passback?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
As described this is a deliberate kick to the goalkeeper and as the goalkeeper has touched the ball with hands it is an offence punished by an indirect free kick. The IDFK is taken on the six yard line directly opposite from the offence location.
The distance of the kick is irrelevant plus control with the foot is deemed a kick. The glossary in the Laws states and I quote
The ball is kicked when a player makes contact with it with the foot and/or the ankle

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hello there Mr. Chalmers,
my esteemed colleague Ref McHugh has given you the correct information.
Whether the centre back could have controlled the ball off his chest and not use his feet it would be permissible for the keeper to pick it up but an actual controlled touch with the feet renders the ball unhandable by the keeper. The keeper could -Still- kick it away or play it with his feet, just can't use his hands. Only if the ball had deflected off the foot & was not deemed a deliberate kick could the keeper possibly use their hands!
Cheers