It might sounds obvious but

[spuddy1878]

Does a back pass have to go backwards ?

If say a GK comes out and misses the ball and a covering defender gets to the ball and plays it forward, can the GK pick it up ?

 

[JamesL]

Does a back pass have to go backwards ?

If say a GK comes out and misses the ball and a covering defender gets to the ball and plays it forward, can the GK pick it up ?

No. "Back pass" is a non-law term for the offence and is not a phrase mentioned in law.

An indirect free kick is awarded if a goalkeeper, inside their penalty area,

• touches the ball with the hands after:

it has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate
• receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate

I have taken out some parts that arent relevant to your post..

Note the absence of any direction mentioned.

 

[spuddy1878]

Cheers, clears it up.

 

[BCMilan]

It might sound obvious, but I think you've raised a fair point. Perhaps it should be re-worded ?

 

[Sheffields Finest]

Try explaining that one to 22 non believers!

 

[one]

It might sound obvious, but I think you've raised a fair point. Perhaps it should be re-worded ?

I am sure you don't mean the laws should be reworded but if you did, which part?

If you meant the made up term should be reworded, and you found the authority on made up terms and phrases, can you ask them to also reword "last man", "you can't say leave it", "high foot", "you cant play the ball when on the ground", "hand on the back", "the ball is spinning" and a few other ones?

 

[Middle Man]

It might sound obvious, but I think you've raised a fair point. Perhaps it should be re-worded ?

No issue with the law as worded. The only issue is the referee is the only one to read and know them and that is why we are there.

 

[BCMilan]

I am sure you don't mean the laws should be reworded but if you did, which part?

If you meant the made up term should be reworded, and you found the authority on made up terms and phrases, can you ask them to also reword "last man", "you can't say leave it", "high foot", "you cant play the ball when on the ground", "hand on the back", "the ball is spinning" and a few other ones?

I don't mean the law. I mean the term "Back Pass". I'm sure, out of the thousands of refs, players and supporters out there, others have wondered the same thing. Perhaps "Keeper Pass" or something, would be more apt. Just a thought !

 

[Peter Grove]

I don't mean the law. I mean the term "Back Pass". I'm sure, out of the thousands of refs, players and supporters out there, others have wondered the same thing. Perhaps "Keeper Pass" or something, would be more apt. Just a thought !

That still doesn't make any sense. You can't 'reword' a term that isn't in the Laws in the first place.

 

[BCMilan]

Of course, not everything is in the LOTG ! Perhaps I mean "re-phrase".
When a referee does his course, what does the teacher/assessor refer to this situation as ?
What do players call it ?
What do managers call it ?
What do supporters call it ?
Do you get my drift ?

 

[Tino Best]

What do players call it?Back pass
What do coaches call it? Back pass
What does the crowd call it? Back pass
What do refs call it? Stupid Goalkeeper who picks it up

 

[Peter Grove]

Do you get my drift ?

Not really - in the only place that matters as far as the law or referees are concerned, the wording is correct. The most we we can say is that anyone involved with refereeing shouldn't use the phrase (and most, including instructors, don't in my experience). However, we have no control over what players, managers, supporters or anyone else calls it, so saying that it should be either 'reworded' or 're-phrased' is pointless.