SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/soc-goalkeeper-back-pass
A teammate deliberately kicks the ball to their own goalkeeper. What may the goalkeeper NOT do?
The goalkeeper may not pick it up with their hands.
- Kick it away
- Pick it up with their hands ✔
- Stop it with their chest
Why: This is the back-pass rule. If the keeper handles a ball a teammate deliberately kicked to them, the other team gets an indirect free kick.
Huh, didn't know that: The keeper gets no yellow card for it, just the indirect free kick against their team.
Why did the goalkeeper keep their hands in their pockets? It was a back pass, not a hand-off.
Like this card?
References
Answer: Pick it up with their hands. This is the back-pass rule. If the keeper handles a ball a teammate deliberately kicked to them, the other team gets an indirect free kick.
- IFAB Laws of the Game (current edition), Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct www.theifab.com/laws/latest/fouls-and-misconduct
it has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate
Checked 2026-10-12. - IFAB Laws of the Game (current edition), Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct www.theifab.com/laws/latest/fouls-and-misconduct
an indirect free kick is awarded but there is no disciplinary sanction
Checked 2026-10-12.
Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.
More stuff everyone should know
Sports & FitnessA teammate throws the ball straight to their own goalkeeper from a throw-in. Can the keeper catch it?Sports & FitnessHow many players can a team have on the field at once in a full soccer match?Sports & FitnessDuring a penalty kick, where must the goalkeeper be until the ball is kicked?
That's stuff everyone should know.