Question about Goalkeepers in the box.

[Cassano]

These days the 6-second rule is never enforced when goalkeepers pick up the ball in the box. When a goalkeeper bounces the ball, does that reset the 6 second clock?

[nsa]

No, bouncing the ball does not reset the clock.

Would you be more specific about what leagues you are observing this timing issue that you perceive?

Six seconds is a long time. The referee usually does not start his internal clock until after the 'keeper has regained his feet and offensive player activity has ceased. Also, it is considered trifling if the 'keep takes more than six seconds, however is in the process of getting the ball into play.

Compare 'keeper possession time now to that back in the '80s. You will see that the ball is being returned to play much quicker than prior to the law change.

[BC_Ref]

These days the 6-second rule is never enforced when goalkeepers pick up the ball in the box. When a goalkeeper bounces the ball, does that reset the 6 second clock?

I'll echo nsa that 6 seconds is longer than most people think. Also, the intention (spirit) of the rules is to get the ball back into play quickly - so most refs will warn at least once or twice before calling the keeper on the violation.

As to the timing, it is from the timing the keeper picks up the ball until they release it - bouncing doesn't count as a "release" nor does it reset the 6 seconds.

[aevange8]

I have never called a keeper for failing to release the ball within the alotted time. I don't bother counting 6 seconds to myself either. The only time I will is if I feel the keeper has incentive to waste time, and it seems like they are taking a while to release the ball. Then if I find they are borderline the next time I am near the keeper I will remind them how much time they have, this has always prevented the issue from elevating further.

On various message boards and from certain publications (typically NFHS) I have seen instructions for keepers to count out the six seconds. This applies to many things, but there is plenty of trouble to find you on the pitch without going out and looking for more. Leave the keeper alone as long as they are not being excessive or wasting time to preserve a narrow victory.

[Wreave]

I believe either ATR or Jim Allen says specifically the ref is not to count, aloud or to himself, or make any kind of counting motion to indicate time for goalkeeper possession. This one is all about the spirit of the law.

If the keeper is taking too long, warn him. If he's still taking too long, warn him again. I couldn't imagine penalizing either of the first two offenses, unless the keeper just held onto the ball, the ref told him to get rid of it, and he still held it.

You could cover the extra few seconds from those first two offenses in stoppage time, under "any other reason".

[john rod]

i have found that most 'keepers get rid of the ball way to quick. i keep telling them they have time, don't hurry.
and now for something completly different:
at yesterday's games, the league did not repaint the lines after 2 1/2 inches of rain.
first thing in a co-ed U-14 game the girl 'keeper runs over the 18, ball in hand, about 6 feet, realizing what she did, just stopped. she had this funny look on her face. i had to laugh. i blow the whistle, go tell her i'm sorry. and that i will give her extra time to make sure she finds the 18 from then on. fortunately the free kick went wide. i felt better for that.

rod, in the normally dry arizona desert.

[njref]

i have found that most 'keepers get rid of the ball way to quick. i keep telling them they have time, don't hurry.
and now for something completly different:
at yesterday's games, the league did not repaint the lines after 2 1/2 inches of rain.
first thing in a co-ed U-14 game the girl 'keeper runs over the 18, ball in hand, about 6 feet, realizing what she did, just stopped. she had this funny look on her face. i had to laugh. i blow the whistle, go tell her i'm sorry. and that i will give her extra time to make sure she finds the 18 from then on. fortunately the free kick went wide. i felt better for that.

rod, in the normally dry arizona desert.

I had a u-12 rec game this weekend. The field lines were invisible in several spots. The keeper jogs upfield, looking at the ground for the penalty area line, goes about 5 yards too far and now is searching hard for the line. I am 20 yards upfield but I can tell he is out of the penalty area.

I just told the keeper to "hold it," I ran back, found the line for him, said "here is your line," and allowed him to go back and punt. Since he ultimately punted the ball from inside the penalty area, I viewed the "handling" as trifling.

I might not be so nice with a more competitive game or better lined field, but this seemed to come within the spirit of the game for me.

[refontherun]

I just told the keeper to "hold it," I ran back, found the line for him, said "here is your line," and allowed him to go back and punt. Since he ultimately punted the ball from inside the penalty area, I viewed the "handling" as trifling.

Early on in a U-12 game under those conditions I would probably do the same thing.

I did a U-19B game a while back where the team that was losing by 3 points persisted in taking alot of time on all stoppages. This included the keeper taking his time with his punts. I didn't say mich about it since they were behind and I didn't see much chance of them evening the score. The second or third time he did it all I said was, "It's your dime. I suggest you spend it wisely."

[IASocFan]

...I did a U-19B game a while back where the team that was losing by 3 points persisted in taking alot of time on all stoppages. This included the keeper taking his time with his punts...

He was probably trying to avoid the other team from scoring another 3 goals. I see this some times when a team is short on players - trying to keep the game close. I don't have much problem with this if it's not too blatant.