Goalkeeper's 6 second rule.

[-G-Man-]

Have they got rid of it?? I was playing for my sunday side this morning and the opposing goalkeeper held the ball for about 10 seconds and the ref blew up and gave us an indirect free kick.

Then all their players and manager ran on the pitch and started going at the ref, saying that the '6 second rule' was done away with last season and he has made a cock up.

Im certainly no aware of this change in the rules. If it has been done away with then its mental coz that would mean that a goalie could hold the ball in his hands forever, seeing that its illegal to challenge the keeper whilst he has 2 hands on the ball!

[gunner]

I thought it was trialed, but never implemented? But I often wonder the same.

In fact, I remember Kuyt standing in front of a keeper this season and counting with his fingers as he went well over 6 seconds, however nothing was done. But I wondered why he would bother if he knew it was not a rule anymore. Surely he should know?

[maltloaf]

i thought it was left to ref's discretion now and not a hard and fast 'law' anymore

[foxy11]

From the FA Handbook on the rules of the game (06/07):

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:

• takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands, before releasing it from his possession

I must say i've noticed plenty of times in our games that referee's have failed to take action. You come to expect it being a Blades fan however.

[SiE]

i thought it was left to ref's discretion now and not a hard and fast 'law' anymore

one of them bullshit laws then like the off side rule or whether to let a free kick be taken on the whistle or early. You have to be psychic to know what the ref is thinking and if the decision doesnt go your way then tough shit!

[masterbates69]

Agree with post above. Think it's only really used if a GK is REALLY taking the piss with it.

[Little John]

It is also used when the attacking player is Alan Shearer and stands in front of the keeper not allowing him to release the ball. Jussi Jaskalinen was sent off at St James park a few seasons ago for a 2nd bookable one of them was because the tosser obstructed JJ and caused him to hold the ball past the 6 seconds. We all know AS liked to referee football matches himself.

[Godscrasher]

Not too sure about the rule myself, but in fifa 06 and 07 the six second rule accounts on there.

Probably pointless but there you go

[webslinger2k]

its a rule...

[-G-Man-]

its a rule...

there we have it! case closed.

[foxy11]

is my post invisible or something? lol

[-G-Man-]

is my post invisible or something? lol

no! i was being sarky when i commented on webbys post becuase of your very post!

[maltloaf]

there are rules and there are rules. They get directives all the time on how to apply the rules and the 6 second rule is one that became sort of declassified. Its left to ref's common sense now, and things like this make football the game it is. A similar rule is that a goalie cannot handle a ball that has been passed back but ref's allow them to 'save' the ball if a goal or attacking player is imminent. Easy to quote rules but in real life (as we see on our pitches all the time) they can be flexed depending on the situation.

Without this flexing there would be no drama, no debate, no advantage played, no emotion. Rules are there to help the game, not stop it being played.

[copey123]

I like it how the rule specifically says "hands". Does that mean that a keeper can hold between their arms and chest then? That would be quality, could go one nil up and then the keeper could hold it 'til final whistle.

Speaking of rules, does anybody know if it is illegal to do the following. i'll give you a scenario:

Player for team A starts a counter attack and runs into the opposition half and is one on one with a defender down the touchline. Ball hits player for Team B and goes out for a team A throw in. Now, at this point, would it be illegal for player A to take a very quick throwing against the Team B players body when he is not expecting it and rebound the ball back to himself to go on and score a goal before the other defenders had chnce to get back? I have thought about trying this a few times in games i have been involved in. It wouldn't be very sportsmanlike, but would it be against the rules?

[-G-Man-]

I like it how the rule specifically says "hands". Does that mean that a keeper can hold between their arms and chest then?

no that would be obstruction.

as in obstructing the ball so that the only way an opposing player copuld get it would be to foul the player with ball.

[Latic]

copey123 not only is that not against the rules its been done a few times.