[ayso45-refs] Goalie grabs ball...

[Randy Harr]

There is one thing that could be added to this recent discussion that helps
provide a learning moment for most of the content that travels through this
forum.

While everything that Bob described is correct and documented, he stopped
short of unveiling a likely overriding decision factor.  And that is the
spirit of the law and common sense.  This is likely the hardest law for new
referees to learn and apply.

The four goal keeper penalties for handling are to keep the keeper from time
wasting.  This because the keeper cannot be challenged for the ball while
they have control of it with their hands in the penalty area.  The penalty
for this offense is pretty severe -- an IFK for the attacking team in the
penalty area.  And that while the defense clearly had possession and control
of the ball there.  Conversions to goals of restarts by the attacking team
in the penalty area is very high, in general, even if an IFK.

So the thing I would like you to consider is the age group of the players.

In U10 or below, they are new players and new keepers.  Virtually no one
except maybe the referee knows the laws with much detail; definitely not the
players in general.  If there was no intent to waste time (which I would be
hard pressed to find at this age group), then let play continue and just
remind the keeper of the rule after they clear the ball.  At this age group,
you might even go so far to warn the same keeper a second time before
calling such a foul.  And if you get a new keeper, start the count over as
you need to help the new player appreciate the rule.

In U12, a warning is still in order as time wasting is a tactical foul and
not yet comprehended.

By U19, this rule should definitely be known along with its nuances as
tactical fouls are common place.  So calling this foul without warning
should be the norm.  Players are simply trying to size you up as a referee
and adapting their game to what they can get away with.

So worry about what the rules are.  And try to be a good steward of
enforcing them.  But remember the game is for the players and fouls are when
an unfair offence is committed against the other team.  Most IFK restarts
due to fouls are for tactical or procedural errors (exception being
dangerous play).  So remember the age level when determining whether this
was really an unfair or unsafe action towards the opponent.

Randy