Question Number: 24837

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 4/18/2011

RE: rec Under 8

Melissa of Fort Thomas, KY USA asks...

Goalie is hit hard in the face in a U8 game. She catches the ball in both hands off her face & maintains control. Referee calls a goal & returns the ball to the center of the field. Why is this? I've been going to kids' games for a while & never saw a situation like this.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mellissa
If the ball does not enter the goal a goal cannot be awarded. A goal can only be awarded when all of the ball crosses all of the goal line.
It makes no difference if the goalkeeper is holding the ball or not just the position of the ball relative to the goal line

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It sounds like despite catching the ball, the goalkeeper allowed it to cross over the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar. That is a goal. The momentum of the shot might have caused her to step backwards, or perhaps the goalkeeper was already behind the goal line when the ball was caught. The ball does not have to touch the ground or the net to be a valid goal.

The question at U8 becomes whether or not the referee should have considered the ball hitting her in the face was an injury or not. At U8, I'd expect most players to fall down hurt, not be able to maintain control of the ball. Then the referee should stop play for the goalkeeper to be attended to, and restart with a dropped ball. But since this player did hold onto the ball, perhaps it wasn't that hard of a shot to the face.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Melissa. When did the referee award a goal? Did the keeper drop the ball and an opponent kick it in? Did the keeper fall into the goal with the ball in her hands? Did she not stop the ball in the first place?Did the referee award a goal but the ball never went into the net? Having a difficult time understanding the question.