The Ref Stop

Goalkeeper picking ball up twice in youth games.

Homer Ref

Homer Ref

Active Member
Level 7 Referee
I have had this happen twice in two different youth games and given an IDFK against the goalkeeper both times. At such a young age should I be looking at giving a bit of leeway or is it as I see it bringing a bit of learning to the players? By the way both times the team conceded a goal from the IDFK... I think it is a very cheap way to lose a goal which makes me think about it.

To avoid doubt, the GK had possession (in control) of the ball, dropped the ball and it hit the ground then they picked it up again without it touching any other player.

What are your thoughts?
 
The Ref Stop
How young? Would suggest educating/advising first at the very least...

I'm reffing u7s a lot and find myself giving decisions to suit the standard of the players. They'll learn the technicalities in time, at this stage picking up.backpasses or what you suggested is so far from relevant...no player/coach/parent wants it
 
es1 said:
How young? Would suggest educating/advising first at the very least...
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Under 13s. I would say though that the wishes of the coaches/parents etc should never come in to mind when decisions are made. yeah it is nice to be nice with foul throws etc but for me learning is doing.
 
U13, I’m probably enforcing, but . . . I’m not sure what you described is actually an offense. If by “dropped” you mean accidentally dropped, then I think the GK is fine to pick it up. I wouldn’t consider that a release in the meaning of the second touch restriction. (And depending on what actually happened, could consider it a permissible bounce byt the GK.) but if the GK deliberately dropped the ball to the ground and then decided to pick it up, I think teenagers are old enough to apply the law.
 
socal lurker said:
U13, I’m probably enforcing, but . . . I’m not sure what you described is actually an offense. If by “dropped” you mean accidentally dropped, then I think the GK is fine to pick it up. I wouldn’t consider that a release in the meaning of the second touch restriction. (And depending on what actually happened, could consider it a permissible bounce byt the GK.) but if the GK deliberately dropped the ball to the ground and then decided to pick it up, I think teenagers are old enough to apply the law.
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GK made a save, held the ball in his hands for a second or two then dropped the ball, it moved forward at least a yard he then picked it up again. There were opposition players still in the PA at the time. For me the keeper has voluntarily released the ball.
 
RonnieM said:
GK made a save, held the ball in his hands for a second or two then dropped the ball, it moved forward at least a yard he then picked it up again. There were opposition players still in the PA at the time. For me the keeper has voluntarily released the ball.
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I wouldn’t be penalising this but may have a quiet word with the keeper. He isn’t gaining any advantage at all and, although IDFK is justifiable in law, I don’t think it’s necessary or favourable in this situation especially at u13 level.
 
RichardRef said:
I wouldn’t be penalising this but may have a quiet word with the keeper. He isn’t gaining any advantage at all and, although IDFK is justifiable in law, I don’t think it’s necessary or favourable in this situation especially at u13 level.
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If there are attackers around him then yes... I would say he is gaining an advantage. As a newly qualified ref, this is me learning as well as they are. It didn't affect the result and a young keeper now knows that he shouldn't pick the ball up after releasing it.
 
I did some pre-Academy games on one night recently. Before that night, the youngest I had ever refereed was U14’s as usually do adults football.

I had this exact situation with a little one who had just been subbed in as the actual keeper had hurt himself. I could tell he wasn’t a keeper and he dropped it, someone ran towards him and he picked it up. I went over to explain to him why he can’t do that and restarted with the ball in his hands.

At that age it is about education and helping them to understand where they went wrong.
 
es1 said:
How young? Would suggest educating/advising first at the very least...

I'm reffing u7s a lot and find myself giving decisions to suit the standard of the players. They'll learn the technicalities in time, at this stage picking up.backpasses or what you suggested is so far from relevant...no player/coach/parent wants it
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Refereeing u7s? I didn't think u7s even had a referee? Do they need a referee? Apologies for going off topic, but a referee for an u7s game seems a little bizzare
 
Ben448844 said:
Refereeing u7s? I didn't think u7s even had a referee? Do they need a referee? Apologies for going off topic, but a referee for an u7s game seems a little bizzare
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absolutely! if left to their own devices they'll just run about and ignore anything and everything - they need someone with a whistle to stop play and tell them how to restart, and why.

they can also kick lumps out of each other. ref yesterday was very raw and really struggled to figure out when and how to get involved.
 
DChall96 said:
At that age it is about education and helping them to understand where they went wrong.
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Agreed, but I think we should leave most of the education to the coaches. We're doing our part by giving the decision and the reason for it.
 
RichardRef said:
I wouldn’t be penalising this but may have a quiet word with the keeper. He isn’t gaining any advantage at all and, although IDFK is justifiable in law, I don’t think it’s necessary or favourable in this situation especially at u13 level.
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By U13’s, they should already have knowledge that they can’t do this. They’re into their 2nd year of secondary school by this point. Not a chance they need educating on such basics.
 
Runner Ref said:
By U13’s, they should already have knowledge that they can’t do this. They’re into their 2nd year of secondary school by this point. Not a chance they need educating on such basics.
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It's a you had to be there scenario for sure. The way I'm picturing things it doesn't sound like the keeper has the ball in his hands, puts it down planning to distribute with his foot then decides to pick it back up under some pressure. More of a save, release the ball while on the ground, grab it again. The former is a clear offence, the latter should not be penalised in my opinion. I don't go looking for trouble and giving an IDFK for something like this is a sure fire way of finding it.
 
RichardRef said:
It's a you had to be there scenario for sure. The way I'm picturing things it doesn't sound like the keeper has the ball in his hands, puts it down planning to distribute with his foot then decides to pick it back up under some pressure. More of a save, release the ball while on the ground, grab it again. The former is a clear offence, the latter should not be penalised in my opinion. I don't go looking for trouble and giving an IDFK for something like this is a sure fire way of finding it.
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I agree it depends on the context. But if they have purposefully put the ball down and then picked it back up at this age, you have to penalise.

If they have parried it and then picked it up, or even accidentally dropped the ball, you’d play on.

But U13’s are old enough to know
 
RichardRef said:
It's a you had to be there scenario for sure. The way I'm picturing things it doesn't sound like the keeper has the ball in his hands, puts it down planning to distribute with his foot then decides to pick it back up under some pressure. More of a save, release the ball while on the ground, grab it again. The former is a clear offence, the latter should not be penalised in my opinion. I don't go looking for trouble and giving an IDFK for something like this is a sure fire way of finding it.
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To be fair, no attacker reacted to the ball on the deck so they obviously didn't realise they could go for it. But I think you need to show your credibility in knowing what is and what isn't a free kick. Both coaches knew what the IDFK was for.

As an aside, it is quite a sight for any spectator to see this type of idfk.
 
es1 said:
absolutely! if left to their own devices they'll just run about and ignore anything and everything - they need someone with a whistle to stop play and tell them how to restart, and why.

they can also kick lumps out of each other. ref yesterday was very raw and really struggled to figure out when and how to get involved.
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Coaches would do that surely. Most leagues are short of refs and those doing u7s would be much better off utilised for older kids or adult leagues.
 
Ben448844 said:
Coaches would do that surely. Most leagues are short of refs and those doing u7s would be much better off utilised for older kids or adult leagues.
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oh yeah, the only refs are coaches or very new/young refs - i'm only reffing because i'm one of the coaches
 
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