Goalkeeper Handling Rules

A goalkeeper cannot handle the ball with their hands if it was deliberately kicked to them by a teammate, or if they receive it directly from a teammate's throw-in.

The full rule

The goalkeeper is the only player permitted to handle the ball, but only within their own penalty area and only under certain conditions. They cannot pick up the ball if a teammate has deliberately kicked it to them — this results in an indirect free kick. The same applies to a throw-in directly received from a teammate. However, if the ball is headed back or chest-controlled by a teammate, the goalkeeper can handle it. The rule is about the deliberate use of the foot, not about accidental deflections.

Key points

✓Cannot handle a deliberate back-pass kicked by a teammate
✓Cannot handle a ball received directly from a teammate's throw-in
✓Headed or chest back-passes can be handled legally
✓Offence results in an indirect free kick at the spot of the handling
✓Accidental deflections off a teammate's foot are not back-passes

Scenarios

Scenario 1

Defender kicks ball back to goalkeeper under pressure

Foul

A defender is pressured and deliberately passes the ball back to the goalkeeper with their foot. The goalkeeper picks it up.

Correct call: Indirect free kick. The ball was deliberately kicked back and the goalkeeper handled it.

Common mistake: Allowing play to continue because it looked like a normal defensive action. The intent to pass with the foot is what triggers the rule.

Scenario 2

Defender heads the ball back

No foul

A defender under pressure heads the ball back to the goalkeeper who catches it.

Correct call: Legal. The back-pass rule only applies to deliberate use of the foot. Headers are always permitted.

Common mistake: Penalising the goalkeeper for handling a headed back-pass. This is not covered by the rule.

Scenario 3

Ball deflects off defender's foot accidentally

No foul

An attacker shoots and the ball deflects off a defender's foot back to the goalkeeper who catches it.

Correct call: Legal. The deflection was not deliberate — the defender did not intend to pass to the goalkeeper.

Common mistake: Giving an indirect free kick because the ball came off a defender's foot. Intent matters here.