Goalkeeper error Rule help please.

[Leekbrookgull]

Was watching my lads team today and during the game our teams goalkeeper collected the ball from a opposition over hit pass. He went to hurl the ball out upfield,however the ball slipped out of his hand and went about 6/7 yards behind him. He chased the ball back and picked it up and this time kicked it out. However surely should not the opposing team been given an indirect free-kick ?

 

[¡Cereal Killer!]

Erm... i wouldnt have thought so. It is just like when a goalkeeper bounces a ball to get a feel of the ball.

 

[Grendel]

Yep, an indirect free-kick should have been given:


"An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:

takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession

touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player

touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate

touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate "

 

[dougdeep]

So bouncing the ball is an offence then?

 

[Tenngull]

I am a ref instructor over here in the US so may be able to shed some light.

Refs are taught to take into account the 'spirit' of the Laws in cases like this - especially in kids' games. This Law is there to prevent time-wasting by the keeper. Your lad's case was clearly not this, but recovering from an accidental slip-up.

Bouncing the ball is counted as continuous possession, even though it isn't! So is throwing it up a couple of feet and catching it again. However, if you let it bounce twice before catching it, or toss it up and let it bounce, that's releasing the ball! Bit crazy I know, but that's what we are told to teach.

 

[¡Cereal Killer!]

I never knew that

 

[Easy 10]

I am a ref instructor over here in the US so may be able to shed some light.

Refs are taught to take into account the 'spirit' of the Laws in cases like this - especially in kids' games. This Law is there to prevent time-wasting by the keeper. Your lad's case was clearly not this, but recovering from an accidental slip-up.

However, referee's taking into account "spirit" of the laws inevitably leads to one thing.....INCONSISTENCY.

And everyone hates inconsistency.