'Unknown' by Unknown - Page 7 of 24

November 2005

PAGE 7

Charging the Goalkeeper 

What Exactly is the Rule?

The key phrase that we all need to

opponent is a normal occurrence in soc-

By Roberto Alvarez

consider when interpreting this rule is

cer. Contact that occurs during a stop in

Rule 301.7

State Youth Referee Administrator

"...once the goalkeeper has control

play (as in preparing for a corner kick or

Charging the Goalkeeper

recently received this email from a

of the ball...". In other words, this rule

free kick near the penalty area) is NOT

coach trying to understand WSYSA

goes into effect ONLY when the goal-

covered by this rule. Yes, opponents can

rule 301.7, regarding charging the goal-

keeper has the ball in her hands or when

definitely come into contact with the

(a) The following Rule applies to

keeper. This is actually a very good ques-

she is dribbling the ball with her feet; it

goalkeeper in these cases.

all competitions under the juris-

tion about a rule that is often misinter-

prevents opponents from trying to dis-

Similarly, contact that occurs during

diction of the WSYSA:

preted:

lodge the ball from her hands or feet by

active play, but away from the ball, is

"Hi, I'm a coach of a GU14

"charging" her.

also NOT covered by this rule. A goal-

team and I want to teach my

Referees apply this rule most visibly

keeper can be fairly charged (shoulder-

(b) In all Under-11 age groups

girls the correct rule, but sever-

when a goalkeeper pins the ball with her

to-shoulder) if she is chasing after a ball

and below: No player shall make

al referees have given me their

body, one hand, or even one finger

that is not in her possession.

physical contact with the goal-

spin. According to 301.7 para-

against the ground or goalpost. In such a

One final limitation to keep in mind

graph (c), no player shall make

keeper, or attempt to play the

situation, kids will often try to rush the

is that at U12 and above, this rule applies

physical contact with the goal-

ball and charge opponents (including

only inside the goal area, not the entire

ball once the goalkeeper has

keeper within the GOAL area.

the goalkeeper) away from it. This rule

penalty area. Therefore, it is only used

control of the ball in any manner

This happens all the time in

allows the referee to stop play before

within a very small area of the field, for

and to any degree whatsoever.

games and especially on corner

such a melee occurs, and to award the

very specific circumstances. The referee

kicks, some teams actually start

goalkeeper's team possession of the ball.

team has the final say, so let's let them

next to the goalie in the goal

call it. s

Therefore, please remember that

area to the point of "touching".

contact between goalkeepers and an

and above: No player shall make

The game I witnessed had eight

physical contact with the goal-

of the other team in the goal

keeper WITHIN THE GOAL

area and the goalie was defi-

Deadlines Are Quickly Approaching

nitely "touched" in the goal

AREA, harass the goalkeeper, or

area. I do see this as a huge

attempt to play the ball once the

(continued from page 3)

safety issue concerning the

goalkeeper has control of the

goalie. Shouldn't the goal area

ball in any manner and to any

belong strictly to the goalie? The

Click the save button when finished

degree whatsoever. For infringe-

rule seems pretty simple to me.

Print the application by following the posted instructions

ment of this special rule, an indi-

Why the confusion? How do I

The head coach or team manager needs to sign the printed application

instruct my girls?"

rect kick shall be awarded.

Turn in the completed application and posted entry fee to your Club Registrar

This rule is called "charging the goal-

for approval and processing

keeper" because it was created to give

Once your Club and Association Registrar have verified that the players and

(d) Note: Also included in "having

the young goalkeeper some additional

coaches listed on your application are properly registered in Washington State, and

control of the ball" is, if the

protection when she has control of the

you have ensured that your team meets the criteria listed for the tournament for

ball during active play. The term "charg-

goalkeeper holds the ball on the

which you have applied, they will submit your application to the WSYSA office.

ing" means to "use the body to push an

ground with one or both hands.

opponent away from the ball", such as

The application deadline for the US Youth Soccer Washington State Champion-

leaning in with the shoulder, the hip, the

ships is November 15, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. The application deadline for the Fred

back, etc. Shoulder-to-shoulder charging

Meyer Commissioners' Cup and Challenge Cup is December 2, 2005 at 5:00 p.m.

is legal in soccer, but all other forms of

charging constitute one of the sport's

Of The Year Nominations

ten penal fouls.

On November 1, the yearly reminder about the "Of the Year" and Hall of Fame

awards that WSYSA sponsors on behalf of our entire membership was distributed.

Please bring this information to the attention to everyone within your clubs.

These awards will be presented at the annual recognition dinner on April 8,

Kohl's US Youth Soccer

2006.

The awards are:

Deadline

American Cup Rolls Through

WSYSA Young Referee of the Year

Dec 01, 2005

WSYSA Hall of Fame

Jan 15, 2006

WSYSA Coach of the Year

Feb 15, 2006

Washington

WSYSA TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year

Feb 15, 2006

WSYSA Volunteer of the Year

Feb 15, 2006

s Youth Soccer Month Celebrating Soccer kicked off over Labor Day

Nomination information and applications are available on the Forms page on the

Weekend, the Kohl's American Cup sponsored a Lake Washington Youth

WSYSA web site. s

Soccer Association recreational tournament at 60 Acres. As an added bonus, the

4,000 in attendance each day were treated to the nation's largest traveling soc-

cer event.

One of the highlights of the American Cup was the interactive village where

children tested their shot on the speed kick, dribbled through the obstacles, and

tried their accuracy at the Kohl's kick wall. Kids of all ages were able to score

some sweet giveaways courtesy of Kohl's and US Youth Soccer and its partners.

"The kids really enjoyed the village and the coaches appreciated the fun for

their teams as well," said Peter Kienast. "All we heard was how much fun this

was and when will we be back."

The Pokemon tent was another hit, with giveaways, the chance to play the

Pokemon card game, and to learn more about the Pokemon US Youth Soccer All

Stars Scholarship Contest.

The Kohl's US Youth Soccer American Cup provides recreational youth soc-

cer players an opportunity to experience a consistent and high-quality statewide

tournament in a fun, festive atmosphere. By providing recreational players with

the opportunity to participate in an event outside of their normal league play,

the Kohl's American Cup fosters excitement about soccer, and increases recre-

ational players' interest in and love for the game. s