The four restrictions

A goalkeeper may handle the ball inside their own penalty area during live play. They may not handle it:

1. Outside the penalty area. Even by an inch.
2. From a deliberate kick by a teammate. The back-pass rule.
3. From a teammate's throw-in directly. Until another player has touched it.
4. For more than 6 seconds once they have control. Holding longer results in an indirect free kick from where the violation occurred.

Outside the box = direct free kick

If the goalkeeper handles the ball outside their penalty area, it's treated like any other player handling — a direct free kick to the opposition. If the handling denies a clear goal-scoring opportunity, it's also a red card under DOGSO.

What "control" means for the time limit

The 6-second clock starts the moment the keeper has the ball under control with their hands — pinned, gripped, or trapped. Bouncing the ball or throwing it up to themselves does not reset the clock. Releasing the ball into play does.

Distribution rules

Once the keeper releases the ball (rolls, throws, drops, or kicks), they may not pick it up again until another player has touched it — even if no opponent has been near the ball.

Why these limits exist

Goalkeepers used to camp on the ball for ages to kill momentum or burn clock. The 6-second rule and the back-pass rule both exist to keep the game flowing and the goalkeeper accountable to the same tempo as outfield players.