Question Number: 23807

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/22/2010

RE: D1 Boys Under 16

Rob of Houston, TX USA asks...

The ball rolls to the keeper who is standing on two feet in the box. He bends at the waist and holds the ball against the ground with two hands. He then looks up at the oncoming offensive player. He stands like that for several seconds while the offensive player runs closer. The keeper is yelling something. At the last split second the keeper picks up the ball.

Could the offensive player kick the ball from under his hands? What if they collide? Can the offensive player slide kick? Some parents said he was taunting since he was yelling. But I couldn't hear what was said.

What's the ruling here?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is common for keepers (when their teams are ahead) to hover over the ball without touching it. This uses time (lawfully) and the keeper will take possession of the ball when an opponent moves toward the keeper.

15 year old boys, however, like to turn a lawful tactic into a dangerous stunt. The keeper becomes matador to the onrushing attacker hoping for a last second 'ole.' The attacker quicker becomes frustrated and there is a great risk of a dangerous foul (e.g., a kick to the face) to the keeper.

The technical answer to your question is that if the keeper touches the ball with one hand while it is on the ground, the ball is deemed to be in the keeper's possession. The defense may not interfere with the keeper's possession of the ball. BUT, the keeper only has six seconds to release the ball.

The usual version of this kabuki, however, is that the keeper isn't touching the ball. Thus, the defender has a right to kick it. In almost every case, however, the keeper will gain possession of the ball an instant before the attacker arrives.

IMO, the referee has to be proactive when this happens, sprinting to join the dance. A calm word to the the attacker can help him not be frustrated; sometimes a quiet word to the keeper - - if the attacker kicks him in the head, the red card to the opponent may not be worth the trip he'll take to the hospital - will suffice. Some referees like to stop play when they see this (keeper playing matador) develop and restart with a dropped ball (since no foul has occurred).

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
I wish goalkeepers would not do this or to be encouraged by coaches not to do it. For the value to say 2/3 seconds it would be much wiser for the GK to pick the ball up rather than waiting until the last second.
The moment the GK puts his hand on the ball or indeed on top of the ball he is in possession of the ball and cannot be challenged. The problem is always momentum and the referee has to determine if the challenge by the attacker was simply careless in which it is a free kick only or if it was reckless then it is a caution.
This is what the Law says
'' A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball:
# while the ball is between his hands or between his hand and any surface (e.g. ground, own body)
# while holding the ball in his outstretched open hand
# while in the act of bouncing it on the ground or tossing it into the air''

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

No, the oncoming attacker cannot kick the ball from the keeper's hands without committing an offense. Once the keeper has her hands on the ball, the opponents cannot touch it. The keeper has six seconds from the time the hand(s) close on the ball and the keeper is able to distribute it. Any longer, and an IDFK may be awarded against the keeper.

As Ref Wickham notes, experienced referees will recognize what is happening and BE THERE to help the players continue to play safely. A little word, a big presence make all the difference.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 23825