Understand the game · 2 min read

Can the goalkeeper pick up a pass from a teammate?

Compare a deliberate foot pass, a header and a chest pass. See when the goalkeeper can use their hands.

The quick answer

Inside their own penalty area, the goalkeeper normally cannot use hands or arms on a ball deliberately kicked to them by a teammate, or received directly from a teammate’s throw-in. The direction of the pass does not matter. A normal header, chest, thigh or knee pass can be handled, provided it is not a deliberate trick to evade the rule. There is an exception after the goalkeeper clearly kicks or attempts to kick the ball to release it into play. These four examples do not show that exception.

See what changes

Choose a situation. Pause or freeze the key moment, and change the view.

A teammate deliberately kicks the ball to the goalkeeper. Inside the penalty area, the goalkeeper picks it up without first clearly kicking or attempting to kick it to release it into play.TEAMMATEGOALKEEPERSimplified schematic · Read each example
  • Goalkeeper’s team
  • Other team
  • Goalkeeper

Foot pass, picked up

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Foot pass, picked up

A teammate deliberately kicks the ball to the goalkeeper. Inside the penalty area, the goalkeeper picks it up without first clearly kicking or attempting to kick it to release it into play.

In this example

Not allowed: indirect free kick

The goalkeeper handles a deliberate kick from a teammate. Simply controlling it with a foot first would not remove the restriction.

Foot pass, feet only

The same deliberate foot pass arrives. The goalkeeper controls the ball with a foot and kicks it to another teammate, without using hands or arms.

In this example

Allowed: play continues

The restriction concerns handling. This example shows legal foot play, with no separate offence.

Header back

A teammate heads an incoming high ball to the goalkeeper, who catches it inside the area. This is normal play, not a manufactured trick.

In this example

Allowed: play continues

A normal header is not a deliberate kick with the foot. A deliberate trick to evade the rule would be a different offence.

Chest back

A teammate cushions an incoming high ball with the chest toward the goalkeeper, who picks it up inside the area. No deliberate trick occurs.

In this example

Allowed: play continues

Normal chest, thigh or knee play can be handled. The examples assume the goalkeeper is inside their own area and no other restriction applies.

Common misunderstandings

  • “It must go backwards.” A deliberate kick to the goalkeeper counts in any direction.
  • “Any touch of a teammate’s foot counts.” An accidental deflection or genuine miskick is different from a deliberate kick to the goalkeeper. The referee judges the play.
  • “A foot touch resets it.” Controlling a teammate’s deliberate kick with the foot does not permit a pickup. The exception requires a clear kick or attempted kick to release it into play.
  • A teammate’s direct throw-in cannot normally be handled either. The same attempted-release exception applies.
  • An artificial flick-and-header or similar trick to evade the rule is penalised even if the goalkeeper never handles the ball. The initiator is cautioned; that can be the goalkeeper.

What happens next?

If play is stopped for the illustrated pickup, the opponents get an indirect free kick where the goalkeeper handled it. If that is in the goal area, it is moved to the nearest point on the goal-area line parallel to the goal line. A goal from an indirect kick needs another player’s touch. The pickup itself carries no card; a deliberate trick is a separate cautionable offence.

What signal might you see?

The referee raises an arm to show an indirect free kick and keeps it raised until another player touches the ball, it goes out of play, or a direct goal is clearly no longer possible.

Check your competition

Check your competition’s written rules. Younger formats may adapt handling restrictions, and heading may be restricted for safety. The header shown explains the rule; it is not advice for children to practise heading. This lesson does not cover all goalkeeper handling offences.

Make the call

One question. No score or account needed.

A teammate deliberately kicks the ball to the goalkeeper, who simply traps it with a foot and then picks it up. What is the decision?

Sources and review

Rules edition: 2026/27 · Sources checked:

Prepared with AI assistance; checked against the linked rules. Simplified illustrations are teaching examples. AI transparency

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