Question Number: 18134

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 12/14/2007

RE: School Under 17

Maelynn of Satsuma, Alabama United States asks...

Hello,

Say if a goalie has the ball in his hands and he is in the 18. And then he bounces it and lets it roll in front of him to kick it down the field.

But an attacking player was **behind** him and the attacker sprinted around and stole the ball as the goalie was about to kick it. And then he took a shot and scored too!

Is that legal?

P.S.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuEcLjbUS1E

I saw it happen at 3:06 on the video above.

Thanks in advance!

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Without looking at the video I can tell you this is a legal goal since the keeper let the ball roll in front of him. At that point the ball is free to play by anyone. Amusing video clip

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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Once the keeper puts the ball on the floor it is free for all to play. If you are wondering if this is offside, no it isn't. The reason is because offside position is judged at the moment the ball is touched or played by the attacking side. That touch hasn't happened yet because the keeper just released the ball from his hands.

Regards,

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