The Referee Corner: Goalkeepers and handling …  

It is a common understanding that Laws of the Game allow goalkeepers (goalkeepers are identified by wearing a distinct color jersey) unique powers while they are in the Penalty Area. These unique powers are based on the goalkeepers being allowed to use their hands. There are limits to the goalkeeper’s use of hands and sanctions for violations. That will be the subject of this article.

Let’s make sure we all understand that when a goalkeeper leaves the Penalty Area, they are under the same Laws that every other field player must adhere to, i.e., they cannot legally handle the ball. If they do, the Referee stops play and awards a Direct Free Kick to the other team. If the actions by the goalkeeper deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity, they will be sent off in the same way that any other field player would be sent off. But what about inside the Penalty Area?

Every weekend goalkeepers are sanctioned for illegal use of their hands in the Penalty Area. Have you witnessed a deliberate pass back to the goalkeeper resulting in a Penalty Kick? Is this consistent with the Laws of the Game? Let’s look at Law 12 to answer this question.

An indirect free kick if awarded if a goalkeeper, insider their penalty area commits any of the following offenses:

• Controls the ball with the hand/arm for more than six seconds before releasing it
• Touches the ball with the hand/arm after releasing it and before it has touched another player
• Touches the ball with the had/arm, unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or attempted to kick the ball to release it into play, after:
• It has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a teammate
• Receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a teammate.

A goalkeeper is considered to be in control to the ball with the hand(s) when:

• The ball is between the hands or between the hand and any surface *e.g., ground, own body) or by touching it with any part of the hand or arms, except if the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper or the goalkeeper has made a save.
• Holding the ball in the outstretched open had
• Bounding it on the ground or throwing it in the air

A goalkeeper cannot be challenge by an opponent when in control of the ball with the hand(s)



The Law is very consistent. If a goalkeeper commits a handling offense in their Penalty Area, the restart is always an Indirect Free Kick. We stress this to the Referees during their Entry Level and Recertification clinics. Now you know the correct restarts for handling violations/infractions by a goalkeeper. You have a start on your career as a soccer Referee.

To learn more about the Laws of the Game and how to become a certified Referee go the Kansas Referee Website . Entry Level Clinics for the Fall season have now been posted on our new Officials Management System software. We hope to see you in class and help you lead the way in the correct application of the Laws of the Game for Heartland Soccer.

The Referee Blog

The Fall season is almost here. Shouldn’t you become a certified Soccer Referee this Fall?

The Women’s World Cup and the League’s Cup Tournaments are underway which means many of us will be watching high level soccer matches and providing our input on decisions made by the Referee team. If you watch the fans on TV you see that many of the calls are met with crticism (how was that a foul? Why was that an offside infraction?). Many feel they know the Laws of the Game and will complain. An alternative is to become a Referee and be able to make the correct calls.

Heartland has registered a record number of teams for the 2023 Fall season. This means there will be a record demand for Referees and ample opportunities to realize the personal benefits of becoming a certified soccer Referee. Classes for the Fall season have been posted on the Kansas Referee website so you can register today. 

Let’s review the Personal benefits from becoming a certified US Soccer Referee:

• Develop life skills: Referees are both do-ers and managers. Learning how to apply the Laws of the Game in dynamic match situations prepares you for being an even more effective member of the soccer community. Referee life skill development includes:
• Decision making: 
• Many of the decisions made by the Referee team require real-time judgements. Understanding the considerations that should be applied in dynamic play before an action is considered to be a foul requires answewring questions and making decisions in real time as to what is happening in front of you. Was it a fair challenge for the ball? Was it a deliberate handling of the ball? Was the foul committed in a careless or reckless manner, or did it endanger the safety of the opponent? Making decisions in dynamic situations will help you to better make decisions in many areas of your life as you get more responsibilities.
• You get to learn how to come back from making mistakes. We underplay the importance of being able to learn from our mistakes as a critical life skill. When you are able to manage the mental challenges of errors and continue to have the responsibility for the next decision, it helps you become a much stronger person.
• People management:
• The Assistant Referees have assigned responsibilities, and they work in an environment that includes players and coaches and fans. The Referee also has assigned responsibilities and is in charge of the Assistant Referees. Getting the job done right while managing people is a critical life skill that many Referees reference as they move on to new roles in their adult lives.
• Responsibilities: Referees are responsible for scheduling their time. When they accept an assignment they understand that there are many other people who will be counting on them to be there so the game can go on. 
• Soccer benefits: When you understand what the Laws of the Game allow you to do, you can become an even better soccer player or fan. Referees need to be in the moment of the match, thinking like players and anticipating how the play will develop. There are specific moments in soccer that are keys (attacking to defending and defending to attacking). Thinking like a player expands your skill set and ability to perform.
• Family time: You take your kids to the soccer complex and drop them off. You have to come back and pick them up. What if you could spend time working with them as a Referee crew? Many of our parents have learned that this is a major benefit of certifying as a Referee.
• Physical Benefits: You have to be fit to be an effective Referee. Players are running to space to create opportunities. Referees are keeping up with the play so they can see the actions of the players. Assistant Referees are running with the attack all the way to the goal line. Yes, you will get tanned and will achieve many physical fitness benefits by becoming a Referee.
• Financial Benefits: Referees and Assistant Referees get paid for completing their assigned responsibilites. Being close to the game you love, getting better at the game, giving back to the soccer community, getting exercise AND getting paid. That is win-win-win-win-win.
• Giving back to the game we love: Everyone who takes the field as a player has goals for how far they want to go with soccer. When playing days are over, does this mean we are done with the game that we love? Not at all. Being a Referee allows you to continue to experience the thrill of competition for as long as you want after you hang up the playing cleats. 

The demand for Referees is high. The benefits of being a Referee are great. Think about the benefits that would apply to your specific situation. Don’t be a part of the problem when you could become a part of the solution. We look forward to seeing you in a class to become a certified soccer Referee this Fall.