Question Number: 22031

Character, Attitude and Control 9/21/2009

RE: rec Under 11

William Everitt of Brandon, MS US asks...

10 year old girl. Goalie punts the ball up in the air (she is not very good) and it goes maybe 5 feet forward and she catches it again in the penalty area what do I do?

I called an indirect free kick from where she touched the ball again for the opposing team. I am not 100% on this call.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

That was the 100% correct call by the Laws of the Game.

Now you have to ask yourself, was the punishment worthy of the crime? Could you have viewed the infraction as being trifling, having no effect on the game? Then you wouldn't need to call it; you could have a quiet word with the goalkeeper at a later time.

You have to balance that against the sense of justice that 10-year-olds have. Would the players accept a no-call, or would they be outraged that you were ignoring obvious infractions of the Laws? Or would they not even know that something was wrong?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Somethings at certain levels are more or less trifling than others! This might be one of those times to explain consequences instead of demonstrate them. Or consider that was a bounce within the 6 seconds of allowed handling possession and she should get rid of that ball post haste!

You applied the laws they accepted it perhaps it was the best course of action as it is the law! Ony if the opposing team was disadvantaged is there reason to see the redeployment issue in a harsher light

FIFA QUOTE
Offences committed by goalkeepers
A goalkeeper is not permitted to keep control of the ball in his hands for more than six seconds. 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
When a goalkeeper has gained possession of the ball with his hands, he cannot be challenged by an opponent.

A goalkeeper is not permitted to touch the ball with his hand inside his own penalty area in the following circumstances:

? if he handles the ball again after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player:

? the goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball by touching
it with any part of his hands or arms except if the ball rebounds
accidentally from him, for example, after he has made a save
? possession of the ball includes the goalkeeper deliberately parrying the ball

? if he touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate
? if he touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate

Restart of play
? Indirect free kick from the position where the offence occurred
(see Law 13 ? Position of Free Kick) END QUOTE
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi William
Correct call in law and the restart is an indirect free kick.
I agree with my colleagues and ask is it the 'best' decision for the game. I would probably, given the age group, allow play to continue and then have a quiet word with the coach explaining the law.
Reads to me like some kicking practise is required by the young goalkeeper.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Your call is what the Laws Of The Game call for so you were correct as to the Letter of the Law. But I can tell from the tone of your question you are having trouble justifying this call given the age and skill level of the players. You are also interested in the Spirit of the Law. Fortunately for referees of soccer Law 5 gives us the authority to ignore breeches of the Law we find trifling and have no effect on the game. In future games at this level you have this to fall back on when trying to decide what's best for the Spirit of that particular game.
A word to the coach and explanation of what the rules are is often all that's needed at this level of play.