During a soccer match, goalies, or goalkeepers, follow different rules than the rest of the players because they can pick up the ball and throw it. Goalkeepers also can make saves with their hands, giving them an advantage over other players going after the ball in the goal crease. The goalie receives a penalty, however, if she pick up the ball outside of the goal crease box.
Rule
As a goalkeeper, you cannot touch the ball with your hands outside of the 18-yard box around the goal. Once you leave the goal crease, you become just like any other player on the pitch, or field, and can only use your head, chest and legs to contact the ball.
Purpose
Without this rule, the goalkeeper could pick up the ball at any point on the field and prevent opposing players from gaining possession. This would lead to all kinds of problems and would completely change the dynamics of the sport. The rule turns the goalkeeper into a regular player outside of his crease, making it impossible for a player to run with the ball in his hands. Since goalkeepers sometimes join the attack during a match, especially when the team trails, the rule makes these situations fair for all players.
Penalty
Touching the ball with your hands as a goalkeeper outside of the box leads to a direct free kick from the spot of the foul. The infraction cannot take place within the penalty area, which would lead to a penalty kick, because the goalkeeper can legally handle the ball there. A direct free kick means that the player taking the kick can take a direct shot on the goalkeeper, although the goalkeeper's teammates can line up in the crease to block the shot. These teammates must line up at least 10 yards from the ball.
Similar Infractions
On a throw-in, the goalkeeper cannot touch a ball with his hands immediately after a teammate throws it. She must wait until another player has touched the ball before she can pick it up. Goalkeepers cannot pick the ball up when a teammate kicks it back into the 18-yard box. In these situations, the goalkeeper can only use her feet, chest and head to pass the ball. If a teammate heads the ball back into the goal crease, however, she can pick it up. All of these infractions result in an indirect free kick from the spot of the foul.
References
- FIFA: Laws of the Game 2011/2012
- "Soccer for Dummies"; United States Soccer Federation, et al.; 2000
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