Goalkeeper — 6 Second Rule & Ball Control
A goalkeeper cannot hold the ball in their hands for more than six seconds. Violation results in an indirect free kick. This rule is rarely enforced but has been given renewed attention in recent years.
The full rule
The goalkeeper is permitted to handle the ball inside their own penalty area but must release it within six seconds. Holding longer results in an indirect free kick from the spot where the goalkeeper was holding the ball. In practice referees warn goalkeepers before penalising them and the rule is inconsistently applied. However at the highest level with VAR, time-wasting by goalkeepers holding the ball is increasingly being called. A separate but related rule: if the goalkeeper controls the ball with their hands for more than six seconds during a penalty shootout, they receive a warning for the first offence and a caution for any subsequent offence.
Key points
- ✓Goalkeeper cannot hold the ball for more than 6 seconds
- ✓Violation results in an indirect free kick at the spot of the offence
- ✓Referees typically warn before penalising
- ✓Applies only inside the goalkeeper's own penalty area
- ✓Tapping the ball on the ground and picking it up again counts as continuous control
- ✓Rule applies during penalty shootouts with stricter sanctions