Goalkeeper Rules for Outside of the Penalty Box

Goalkeeping is a major component of the game of soccer, which is called football outside the United States. For goalkeepers who are outside the penalty area, organizations have established rules for players and referees. In order for you to assess the goalkeeper’s roles inside and especially outside the penalty box, you need to understand and explain to the goalkeeper what is expected and the consequences of not abiding by the rules. Goalkeepers tend to be fearless athletes, used to throwing themselves onto the ball to keep it from scoring. However, they may forget that outside their realm of action, they are just like other players.

Instructions

    • 1

      Meet with the goalkeeper prior to the game, to explain duties and rules guiding his play inside the penalty box area. A goalie is allowed to use all extremities while inside the penalty box -- his hands, arms and entire body -- to defend the goal and keep the ball in the field of play. Once the ball is dropped by the goalie onto the field, even within the penalty box, it is in play again and all rules of the game apply. The ball must be touched by another player before the goalie can touch it with his hands and throw the ball outside the penalty box area.

    • 2

      Measure and define where the penalty box begins and ends, since a goalkeeper outside the penalty box is bound by the same rules of play as other players: Only feet, heads and chests may be used to keep the ball in play. If the goalkeeper is outside the penalty box, and uses his hands and arms to play the ball, a penalty kick is awarded to the other team.

    • 3

      Observe whenever the ball is passed to the goalie -- outside the penalty box -- from another player. Make sure the goalie does not use his hands until he has returned to the penalty box. The goalie cannot touch the ball or kick it to himself in the penalty box, and then pick up the ball and throw it into play.

    • 4

      Watch the borders of the penalty box carefully, because sometimes the goalkeeper will inadvertently move outside the penalty box area and throw the ball into play. If you are refereeing the area, you must warn the player -- the first time it happens -- that he was outside the box. Any subsequent infractions will afford the other team a free penalty kick.