How long can a goalkeeper hold onto the ball?: Six-second rule explained | OneFootball

Nothing is more exciting than being in the last minutes of a football game. Play can be at a high tempo with teams looking to score and win, claiming all three points.

Equally, there is nothing more irritating than waiting for the opposition to restart play if your team is at a disadvantage — drawing or losing by one goal. Time-wasting by both the goalkeeper and outfield players can be extremely frustrating for the trailing team and their fans.

Game management strategies play a vital role in determining team tactics, especially in the dying moments of a match. Players can gain an advantage through rapid restarts and surprise tactics or slowing down resumption of play and shielding the ball wherever possible.

Referees are usually quite quick to pick up on stalling tactics towards the end of the match. Encouraging players to speed up restarts but rarely going further.

Game management or time-wasting?

Goalkeepers can deliberately contribute to time-wasting tactics during restart action. During match time, when the ball is still in play, the goalkeeper can demonstrate time-wasting strategies by holding onto the ball for longer than they are allowed to. This can be harder to penalise. Or can it?

The rules clearly state that once the goalkeeper has control of the ball in their hands, they have six seconds to then release the ball. Definitions of control of the ball are understandably precise.

Laws of the game

A goalkeeper is considered to have control of the ball with their hands when:

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The laws of the game have changed through the years, helping prevent dull and boring time-wasting strategies. Many of them seem to be focused on goalkeepers. We are no longer allowed to pick up back passes or throw-ins. Keepers were limited to the number of steps they could take with the ball in their hands. Goalkeepers can now only hold the ball for six seconds during play.

These rules have shaped the future for the evolving goalkeeper. Keepers are getting better at playing with feet. They are becoming quicker at transitions. Turning defence and out-of-possession moments into attacking options and in-possession tactics. But there is still the question of the six-second rule.

Do goalkeepers often break the six-second rule?

Why are there so few infringements? In the London 2012 Olympics semi-final, Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod was punished for holding onto the ball for approximately 12 seconds. The ensuing indirect free-kick led to an appeal for handball and a penalty kick for the USA, bringing them level. The USA went on to win the match in extra time and progress to the final.

If we are not hearing about lots of incidents where goalkeepers are breaking the six-second rule, then maybe it is not happening? Then again, it may be more difficult than we think to monitor this rule.

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When do the six seconds begin?

When a goalkeeper has completed a fantastic diving save and claimed the ball, they may be a little disorientated. They have gone from standing, to almost flying. Then landing, often on their sides. Ending up lying amongst many competing feet. Is this part of the six seconds?

After a keeper has made a diving save, got up quickly and moved forwards to release the ball, this has taken an average of six to eight seconds. We think, or hope, that most referees don’t really start counting down until the keeper is standing again. But even knowing this, regulation seems patchy or non-existent.

Referees’ forums suggest that an indirect free-kick gives the opposition an unfair advantage that they did not previously have in that situation. For example, the goalkeeper had secured possession of the ball but now the opposition gain possession in a goalscoring area. Other comments indicate the law is more a deterrent for time-wasting behaviours. Has it reduced goalkeeper time-wasting tactics?

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Future developments around the six-second rule

There have been moves towards amending the rule and changing the restart away from an indirect free-kick. Trials are underway to have an eight-second rule. The referee counts down the last five seconds using their fingers to show the keeper the remaining time. The punishment would be either a throw-in or corner to the opposing team. These are currently only trials and are running in a limited number of leagues and competitions this year.

Meanwhile, goalkeepers might want to future-proof themselves for possible amendments to the six-second ruling by focusing on improving their transition times. Working with teammates to ensure players move quickly into good positions to receive a ball from the keeper. Working on distribution with feet to become more accurate and increase kicking distance. Finally, working with defenders to find alternative game management strategies, other than violating the six-second rule.

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