Question Number: 23692

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/22/2010

RE: Select High School

John Leith of East Walpole, Ma. USA asks...

Girls U-16 game. A ball is chipped into the box. The goalie runs out to get it as it is being pursued by an opposing forward. At the height of the first bounce the keeper jumps up for the ball. At the same time,the forward tries to head the ball. The keeper catches the ball before just before the forward is able to head it. The players run into each other however the keeper, as she is running forward and jumping, has her feet rigidly extended in front of her toward her opponent. She makes no effort to make what I would call a defensive catch (one where she pulls the ball away from the forward). As a result, when the two players make contact, the keeper hits the forward with her feet and knocks her down. I felt that the goalie should have caught the ball in a less dangerous manner and that her approach was unnecessarily agressive. On the other hand, I did not fell that a penalty shot was warranted. I warned the goalie for her play and gave the opposing team an indirect kick for dangerous play. At halftime I discussed this with my ARs. One thought that I had no choice but to award a penalty kick. The other felt that there had not been an infraction. I feel quite strongly that there was an infraction but wonder whether a direct (penalty) kick is mandated in this situation. An indirect kick seemed appropriate for the circumstances. I would appreciate your feedback. Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Leith
Ask yourself this question. If say the centre half came to head the ball away in the manner you saw and made contact with the opponent what would you award? The GK has no special rights other than she can use her hands to catch the ball but all her other actions must be consistent with normal play.
I would not allow a GK to extend her boot rigidly in front of her so that it makes contact with an opponent who is just making a genuine challenge for the ball. What you have described here IMO is a penalty and at least a caution to the GK for reckless play. It just cannot be a indirect free kick as the goalkeeper made penal contact with an opponent. An IDFK would be awarded for PIADM without contact and impeding again without contact. Indeed if the actions of the GK endangered the safety of the opponent then the correct decision is a penalty kick and a dismissal for serous foul play.
Many GKs have started this tactic of raising their boot high when coming out to make 50/50 challenges with inrushing opponents. Many believe that it is 'protection' to prevent unfair challenges from opponents. It is not acceptable and it needs to be stopped through strong action by referees.
Also the position of an AR and angle of view has a bearing on their opinion. A side on view by one AR can see the rigid extended boot making contact with the opponent in a reckless manner whereas an AR at the half way line may have a less clear view due to the different angle of view.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is not clear to me what you saw. Some keepers execute a very dangerous slide with the cleats exposed as a weapon toward the attacker, but this would not be described as a jumping and catching the ball. It would deserve at least a yellow card for a reckless tackle. Conversely, many keepers who jump, expose a knee. But, this is not what you describe. (I can't visualize what you saw.)

There is no obligation, however, for a player to avoid contact with an opponent while moving fairly toward the ball. Each has equal right to use unoccupied space. Contact frequently happens between a goal keeper and a forward, both moving fairly toward the ball without any foul occurring. Aggressive play is not dangerous play. It seems that one of your assistants viewed the contact as incidental to a fair, though aggressive, play by both players.

We sometimes see referees unfamiliar (actually, shocked) with the aggressive, physical play at GU16. While the referee must consider the safety of the players, it is important not to impose a lower threshold of what is acceptable play based solely on gender.

Nevertheless, no player may carelessly charge or jump at an opponent, nor act recklessly or with excessive force. Indeed, high school rules include a point of emphasis against an attacker using excessive force against the keeper in these situations.

If you judged that the keeper made a careless jump at the opponent or a careless charge, the foul would result in a penalty kick. The indirect free kick foul of dangerous play does not involve contact with the opponent. This appears to be the view of your other assistant referee.

Only the referee can judge what happened. But, an indirect free kick is usually a poor choice between a PK and nothing. IMO, there is a better option when your heart says 'scary' and your head says 'no foul' and the keeper has possession of the ball. Tell the keeper to hold the ball and let everyone know your reaction to the event!' The 'chew' will include conveying how lucky the keeper is not to have been sent off if she had been a moment later in getting to the ball.

Strong communication can prevent escalation or retaliation even if the referee judges this was not a foul.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I can't understand why a goalkeeper who is jumping up to intercept a ball has her legs pointed out at her opponent who is trying to head the ball. It sounds like at least a reckless foul (caution), and more likely a send-off for severe foul play. The goalkeeper's legs should be trailing her movement toward the ball, not leading toward the opponent.

Unfortunately the written word doesn't always project the correct picture, so we may not be understanding your situation correctly.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If I understand you correctly, you are describing an illegal and dangerous tactic that is unfortunately being taught at keeper camps all over the US. The keeper may not use her legs as weapons when leaping to catch the ball. Usually this is done in a less blatant manner than you describe. To have her feet rigidly extended in front of her aimed at an opponent is unacceptable. Referees simply have to have the guts to punish this behavior swiftly and forcefully. You cannot invent indirect free kick fouls. What the keeper did was NOT PIADM. She has kicked her opponent. For starters that's DFK foul and a penalty kick has to be awarded. Your real decision should be 'do I send her off or just caution her?' IMO this is a send off for using excessive force and endangering the safety of an opponent.