This situation came up in my adult league game week, and I'm wondering what the ruling would be. GK comes out to stop a breakaway. GK stops intial shot, ball rebounds high into the air behind the GK, towards the goal. A defender (on GK's team) has come in behind GK (between him and the goal) and is able to to settle the high ball. Would for the GK be permitted to "handle" a foot pass from this defender if the ball was played forward to the GK? Or is any intentional pass with feet to one's own GK not allowed to be "handled" by the GK? My understanding of this rule is that the GK is prohibiting from handling any pass intentionally kicked backwards by a teammate, but I'm wondering how my situation fits into this. Thanks in advance for any clarification
Although commonly referred to as the "passback rule," it is a bit of a misnombre. The Law reads as follows: Typically this would be a backward pass, but it can indeed be forward as well.
Last spring I was coaching a rec women's team. Defender does her job and covers the back post. The opposing team shoots at the back post and she saves a goal using her foot to block the shot. The ball comes back out into the area and our keeper scoops it up. Ref called an indirect, but it certainly wasn't a deliberate pass. I was compelled to instruct the referee regarding the laws of the game, but I restrained myself until after. The IFK wasn't converted anyway. (good defenders!)
Other than bringing in the yellow and red cards, the backpass rule was the best idea of the last 50 years, IMO.
I have seen numerous plays were a defender settles the ball for the keeper and then the keeper handles the ball. In ALL of these situations the ref awarded an IFK going in. I guess FIFA considers trapping the ball for your keeper as a "back pass" Don't shoot the messenger!!
Only a pass with the foot results in an IFK. Traps with the thigh, chest, head, etc. should not be penalized.
Although an attempt to subvert the spirit of the rule by using your head to pass the ball is not permitted. (I.e., you can't lie on ground and "head" the ball to your keeper in an attempt to avoid the IFK rule.)
This only applies to someone playing it up to their head or chest once the ball has been at their feet (i.e., flicking it up and heading it). They most certainly can dive to head a ball -- seen it done at some pretty high levels on a ball that didn't bounce as much as the defender expected and they wind up diving to head it back to their keeper for him to pick up.
it doesnt have to be a deliberate PASS.......just deliberately PLAYED by a defender to an area the goal keeper can be expected to play it. I hope the reff instructed you!
I don't think that blocking a shot with your foot counts as deliberately playing the ball to an area.
But it must be deliberately payed with the intent of the GK getting it. If somebody is blocking a shot, there is no way you could claim that it was deliberately played to the goalkeeper. Remember, the spirit of the law is to prevent time wasting. When the ball is popping all over the penalty area, I'll always give benefit of the doubt to the GK.
I was watching Fever Pitch again the other night and in the final match, when the Arsenal defender kicks the ball along the end line to his keeper's hands I again had that momentary "wait a second" feeling. It's a tribute to the rule, I think, that although it hasn't been around all that long, it makes so much sense that you've almost forgotten it was ever different.
Re: Re: GK Backpass question Defender A passes the ball to defender B in the penalty area. The goalie moves forward and picks the ball up. Backpass?
Re: Re: GK Backpass question Wrong. We do not judge intent. Referees are supposed to call what they see not what they think a player is thinking. Read the ATR and show me where it says that the defender must have MEANT for it to be pickedup, then tell me how you will know what he meant?.......telepethy?
Re: Re: Re: GK Backpass question Yes..........refereeing 101........failure to read the ATR above is what leads to frustration and the lack of consistancy above.
Just a side bar on this, When this rule was first implemented, it was tough teaching players to not do what they have always done, pass back to the keeper. In a game between the WNT A and B sides in NH, the ball on a corner came into the box and Michelle Akers (playing def) half volleyed a back pass to the goalie Herman, Herman to her credit, traps the ball on her chest and drops it to her feet where she clears it out of danger. Akers reaction was priceless..... It was interesting seeing players adjust to the rule. It certainly made the game more exciting, especially after watching Italia 90 where the backpass was used constantly to relieve pressure by the def. It was a great change.
Re: Re: Re: GK Backpass question Grey, Note that the language, while not requiring mind reading, does imply that the referee must be pretty certain that the ball was played by the foot deliberately to the keeper or an area where the keeper could legally pick it up. If there is any doubt, then no offense. This is soccer not gotchaball. We should officiate with the least interference. Sherman
Ahh, the never-ending question. It all hinges on whether "deliberately kicked to him" is one condition or two. But I will agree with Sherman, this is not meant to be a "Gotcha!" call.
Re: Re: Re: Re: GK Backpass question Actually, I'm not a referee, I'm just tryin to sharpen my understanding of the rule (so I look more intelligent when I shout at the ref on my tv...)
How would you handle this one? Defender A kicks the ball toward Defender B, who is not close to the GK. The ball will pass near the GK. As the ball is struck, an attacker runs to intercept the pass to Defender B. The GK, seeing a likely intercept, dives on the ball (handles it) just ahead of the attacker. The referee believes that the ball has been deliberately kicked through a place where the GK could handle it to somewhere else. No infringement?
Read your own post (and the ATR): "The requirement that the ball be "kicked to" the goalkeeper means only that the play is to or toward a place where the keeper can legally handle the ball. " How much more clear can this be. You DELIBERATLY kick it to a spot where the keeper can handle it....and he handles it.....IFK....period. No mindreading...No "better have meant for the keeper to pick it up." Nothing that says you just ignore the foul because the all if a tough one and might effect play because the keeper was stupid. It isnt gotcha to call the game as we are clearly prescribed to in the LOTG and the ATR. It is LAZY to NOT call it and it makes trouble for those of us who do bother to read the laws and call the game. The players have no qualm if they know what to expect.