Question Number: 9114

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

RE: rec

Herbert of Boston, MA USA asks...

We know that keepers are often in vulnerable position due to leading with their head or hands. What rule of thumb do you use (epecially at the young ages) to let the play carry on or stop when you see the keeper take a hard shot by the ball to the head, body, or hands. I tend to lean to safety, but the proximity to the goal, and no control by the keeper tells me to let the play go.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Tough call Herb, though I tend to intervene more the younger the players get. I almost go to the point of stopping each incident at the very youngest ages. I lean toward protection of the player when they don't have the maturity to know when to back off and be safe. ..Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Laflin

This is a difficult one, you need to make a quick decision based on instinct (well that's a poor answer isn't it?)... if the keeper goes down like a sack of spuds holding his head, then as soon as you stop play jumps up again smiling he can always go into your book.....With younger players, err on the side of caution... you will have a few more fans in the form of parents if you do this. They care more about the safety of their players than winning... most of the time :S..Jim