Question Number: 19131

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/18/2008

RE: competive Under 10

Marla Clowe of Columbia, MO USA asks...

The goalie has fielded the ball and is punting the ball away. An opposing player runs up and blocks the punt. The goalie is not touched. Penalty?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Marla,
Law 12 states that if an opponent tries or prevents the release of the ball by a keeper who is in the 6 seconds of unchallangable use of his hands it is an INDFK offence. It could be cautionable but with no contact a warning to desist might be ok . The issue I have is a punt out by a keeper is usually better for youth than a deadball situation on the floor which is why the cautionable USB is always a consideration.

One thing to note a keeper who kicks the ball into an opponent who is standing still is no neccessarily a foul at all but a poor decision by the keeper. In the 6 seconds allowed a keeper can run around to achieve a good position to puntor throw it out only if an opponent deliberately gets in his way is there reason to see this as an infringment. Cheers

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

What the opponent has done is interferred with the keeper's ability to release the ball which is an indirect free kick offense.

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Answer provided by Referee MrRef

This question has caused a little consternation amongst us. It all stems from the word "Penalty?". In this Game we have fouls and misconduct, free kicks and penalty kicks. Some of us look at the word penalty and think penalty kick which this is not. If a player prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands it is an indirect free kick offence. If that's what you mean by penalty then there is your answer.

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