Question Number: 22867

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/25/2010

RE: rec Under 11

chris dunk of newport beach, ca usa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 97841000

A goalie goes outside the 18 penalty box to field a ball. He dribbles the ball back into the 18 area penalty box and then picks it up.
What is the penalty?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

There is no penalty, because there isn't a foul.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Chris
It can only be an infraction if the ball is deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team mate in this situation. In that case the goalkeeper is not allowed to touch the ball with his hands. If he does so after he dribbles the ball back into the penalty area it is an IDFK from where he touches the ball with his hands.
If the ball is played by an attacker in this situation there is no infraction and play just continues.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

It depends! If the ball the goalkeeper fields is one last played by his opponent, there is no issue with the Law - he can pick it up quite legally and he then has 6 seconds to distribute the ball back into play.

If a teammate heads, chests, knees, or uses anything legal besides a kick to get the ball to the keeper, the keeper can legally play the ball.

The only time the keeper is in any danger of a whistle blowing in these situations is if she 'touches the ball with her hands after it has been deliberately kicked to her by a team-mate'. (Law 12 - Indirect Free Kick offenses committed by a goalkeeper) To the keeper means anywhere the keeper can go to pick it up - including going outside the penalty area and dribbling it back into the PA. Kicked means only that it was deliberately kicked with the foot, not mis-kicked or mis-directed.