Rules July 2025 - The Goalkeeper - Rule 5.4

This one if for all the GKs out there...

Rule 5.4 only used to mention ball control. It has now been extended to body control too.

The goalkeeper is allowed:

4. leave the goal area with the ball and play it again in the playing area if he has not managed to gain body and/or ball control it.

This means that in accordance with rule 6.4, ball is now considered out of play when the GK has ball and body control. (not just ball control as before).

When ball and body control is achieved, the game is restarted with a goalkeeper throw from within the goal area.

See the 2 examples below to understand how the new rule applies:

Scenario 1

GK blocks a shot.

Ball bounces back onto the court.

GK run outside of the goal area and gets control of the ball.

Decision: Play will now continue

Scenario 2

GK blocks a shot.

Ball bounces towards the court.

GK slides onto the court while holding ball

Decision: Play will now continue