Keeper throwing the ball into other goal

[saabrian]

Is there anything in the rules that prohibits a goalkeeper scoring a goal by throwing a ball into the other net? Not by a throw-in obviously (which is specifically not allowed by anyone) but just from his own penalty area. I was looking at the laws of the game and I didn't notice anything that banned this, but I was curious if I might have missed something.

I realize that this is nearly physically impossible in outdoor, but it's conceivable in indoor if the keeper strays off his line.

[Statesman]

In outdoor soccer there is nothing prohibiting the keeper from throwing the ball across the field and into the other goal, despite the likely physical impossibility. In indoor soccer it will never happen either because of the three line violation, unless it was staged. I honestly do not believe there is a team out there who will have all 6-7 players forget where the ball is and have it roll across the entire arena and into their goal...

[BentwoodBlue]

Seen it happen.. Mind you, it was quite windy and the keeper was asleep at the wheel. I remember giving my AR the "What the hell just happened" look and then pointed at the middile.

[jkc313]

Is there anything in the rules that prohibits a goalkeeper scoring a goal by throwing a ball into the other net? Not by a throw-in obviously (which is specifically not allowed by anyone) but just from his own penalty area. I was looking at the laws of the game and I didn't notice anything that banned this, but I was curious if I might have missed something.

I realize that this is nearly physically impossible in outdoor, but it's conceivable in indoor if the keeper strays off his line.

At young levels of youth play this is easily possible especially with a big strong 9 year old and a short field. I've not seen this done but I have seen a youngster kick the ball from inside his own penalty area into the opponents goal.

[Statesman]

jkc, here's a story you can relate to then :)

I was refereeing a state premier league U19B match at a complex that is notorious for the wind coming off the ocean last year. As you could imagine, all of the goals are scored on one end of the field -- the end the wind favors. This particular game the keeper on that side was a little too far off his line while play was in the opposing half. A foul was committed by an attacker in his opponent's penalty area, and the keeper taking the restart saw a perfect opportunity. Using the extra boost from the wind, he sent the ball sailing well over the heads of all on the field and directly into his opponent's net. Evidently he had a bet with one of his teammates that he would score a goal at some point this season, and sure enough he won.

[NHRef]

Indoors, at least where I ref, the keeper can not throw the ball in the air past midfield, kicks can't go 3 lines in the air. However I did have an IFK (co-ed league) from in the box go the length of the field, keeper wasn't paying attention and go in. To bad it was IFK :-)

Outdoors, that would be 1 heck of a throw. I've seen goalies have "punt wars" in small 6v6 games, but not throws.

--Bob

[Malaga CF fan]

The only possibility I could think of would be indoors towards the end of a game with a close score line and the opposing team pulls their keeper for an extra attacker, the keeper makes a save and quickly throws the ball, making sure that it bounces, rolls, whatever to avoid the three line penalty, and because the opposing team has thrown all of their attackers forward, no one is back on defense to defend the open goal.

I have a very hard time envisioning it happening in an outdoor match, although as has been mentioned, the elements can always be a factor. If any keeper had the ability to throw the ball the length of the field (on the fly even and anywhere from 80-100 yards) I'd say he's probably playing the wrong sport and should consider quarterback or pitcher. Why waste that arm strength as a goal keeper??