Question Number: 24023

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/26/2010

RE: Club Under 12

Neal Jasinski of natick, ma usa asks...

In my daughters game today something strange was going on. Any time the oposing goalie got the ball, our coach would have the girl on defense stand just outside the goal box in front of the goalie. I guess the first time she went to punt the ball she dropped it. Is this harassing the goalie? Can they move outside the goal box in front of the goalie? If the goalie gets close to the other team when she goes to punt the ball, can they attempt to kick it?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Neal
The player no matter where she is positioned either inside or outside the penalty area may not prevent the goalkeeper from releasing the ball back into play. If she does so it is an indirect free kick and a possible caution certainly at the higher levels.
At this age group it certainly would be a caution if the tactic was repeated by the team.
Referee also need to look at ways of preventing this happening as an IDFK as opposed to a GK punt is a huge disadvantage @ U12. It could be by calling to the opponent to move away from the GK and being more generous then with the 6 second release law until that happens.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

There's absolutely no problem with an opponent moving towards and hanging around the keeper in case the keeper drops the ball on a punt - it's only illegal if the player gets in the keeper's way or otherwise prevents her from releasing the ball.

This means the player cannot stand just outside of the penalty area with the intent of kicking or jumping to stop the ball if the keeper comes to the edge of the penalty area to release the ball.

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

See Question: 24050