Question Number: 12932

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/1/2006

RE: Select Under 13

Joe Morefield of Norton Shores, Michigan USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 12710

Decision 2
The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball by touching
it with any part of his hand or arms. Possession of the ball includes
the goalkeeper deliberately parrying the ball, but does not include the
circumstances where, in the opinion of the referee, the ball rebounds
accidentally from the goalkeeper, for example after he has made a
save

The key phrase is deliberatly parrying.

If a defender in this instance is that close to the keeper he is not respecting the required distance from the keeper therefore the goal should not be allowed.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

There is no required distance a player must be from the goalkeeper during dynamic play. As long as you are not in an offside position and play is running the keeper may be marked as closely as any other player.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Mr. Fleischer is correct. The only thing is a player cannot prevent keeper from releasing the ball with his hands. This means if the keeper moves to get rid of ball, the defenders cannot get in the keepers way. As Always,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

There is no "required distance" from the keeper. Where did you find this term? An opponent may not challenge a keeper once the keeper has possession and he may not prevent the keeper from releasing the ball, but he certainly may stand close to the keeper.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Joe,
while there is no specific distance an attacking player who impedes the keeper if the ball is not within playing distance could still be infringing. This is based on the action of the attacker not just the distance between the two and proximity to the ball.

Offside criteria, if applicable, is also cause for consideration and generally the reason why a keeper is not marked closely as he is generally the last defender.

Remember a parry is a deliberate knock down of a ball that in the opinion of the referee could easily be caught.

In former days of play this deliberate action was to push the ball into a playable part of the penalty area to allow the ball to sit and then reach down to pick it up only if an opponent came near as well as take the four steps to the outer edge of the boundry lines. it was a time consumption ploy and no longer qualifies, as a second touch violation comes with trying to negate a challenge to that ball should keeper reuse his hands on the ball..
With the six seconds keepers have plenty of time and space to play the ball out


Cheers

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

See Question: 12947