How Long Can a Goalie Hold a Ball in Soccer?

In the world of soccer, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) determines the rules, and details the participant's code of conduct during sporting events. Founded in Paris in 1904, FIFA continues its purposes as an advocate for soccer professionalism and preservation of the game of soccer. Now headquartered in Switzerland, FIFA heads soccer associations all over the globe, many in pursuit of the honorable "World Cup."

The goalie, also known as the goalkeeper, is the designated player on the soccer team that has the sole responsibility of guarding the goal. The goalie is also the only player on his team who holds special privileges within the parameters of the penalty box.

The goalie is the only member of the soccer team that is allowed to use his hands during game play. But use of his hands is limited to inside the penalty box. Once he gains possession of the ball with his hands, he can hold it for no longer than six seconds. Before the six seconds is up he must release it to a teammate that is outside of the penalty box. He can do this by punting, dropping or throwing the soccer ball.

Contrary to popular belief, the goalie does not have permission to touch the ball with his hands every time it enters the penalty box. After the goalie places the ball back in play, and releases it from his hands, he cannot touch it again. The ball has to come in physical contact with a player of the opposing team, or be "accidentally" kicked back into the goal area by a teammate, before he can touch it with his hands again.

Not only is the goalie the only player that can hold the ball, there are repercussions for inappropriate physical contact or roughness to the goalie. During his six seconds of hands-on possession, a foul can be called if any of the opposing team players purposefully pushes, tackles, kicks or charges the goalie when he has possession of the soccer ball.

Although the FIFA rules are closely adhered to in soccer leagues that cater to older teens and adult players, the rules may vary when it comes to youth soccer teams. In fact, the rules of the soccer game may be changed at the discretion of the organization when the game is played by children. This variation of the rules is conducted in order to meet the needs, skill levels and ages of all the participants. Changes in the game's length and timing rules are commonly seen. For the protection of younger goalkeepers, possession rules and hold times may exceed those set by FIFA.

In countries all over the world, the game we in the United States refer to as "soccer" is actually known as "football."