The back pass rule, explained
The back pass rule stops a team wasting time by passing to their goalkeeper to pick up. It's simple once you know what "back pass" actually means in the Laws: it isn't about passing backwards at all.
By Squadcard. Last updated .
In short
- A goalkeeper can't handle the ball if a team-mate deliberately kicked it to them, or threw it straight to them from a throw-in.
- Headers, chest passes and accidental touches are fine: the keeper can pick those up.
- If the keeper handles a back pass in their area, the other team gets an indirect free kick from that spot.
- Flicking the ball up to head it back to the keeper, to get round the rule, is an offence too.
- The rule is in the Laws of the Game from the 1992-93 edition.
What counts as a back pass
Inside their own penalty area, a goalkeeper can't touch the ball with their hands or arms after either of these, unless the keeper has clearly kicked or tried to kick it first:
- A team-mate deliberately kicked the ball to them. Any deliberate kick, in any direction: a pass sideways counts, and so does a miscued pass that was meant for the keeper.
- They received the ball straight from a team-mate's throw-in.
What isn't a back pass
- A header, chest or knee back to the keeper: only kicks and throw-ins count.
- A deflection or a miskick that wasn't meant for the keeper.
- A ball that touched another player, from either team, on its way to the keeper.
- Outside the penalty area, the keeper can't use their hands anyway, so the rule doesn't come up.
What happens if the keeper picks it up
The referee gives an indirect free kick to the other team from where the keeper handled it. If that's inside the six-yard box (the goal area), it's moved to the nearest point on the goal area line parallel to the goal line, which is why you see whole teams standing on the goal line.
Trying to get round the rule is also an indirect free kick: for example, flicking the ball up with your foot to head or chest it back to the keeper. It's an offence whether or not the keeper then handles it.
Where it came from, and in your kickabout
The rule is in the Laws of the Game from the 1992-93 edition, written then as a ban on the keeper handling a ball a team-mate deliberately kicked to them. Before that, keepers could pick up back passes, and teams protecting a lead passed the ball back again and again.
Most 5-a-side and small-sided games keep a back pass rule, often stricter: many leagues don't let the keeper handle any pass from a team-mate. Agree it with the rest of your 5-a-side rules, and if nobody wants to go in goal, try rush goalie.
Rush goalie rulesPlaying every week?
If you play with the same group every week, Squadcard runs the game for you: everyone says in, maybe or out from a link in the group chat, the teams are picked fair from ratings your mates give after every game, and it keeps track of who owes for the pitch.
Start a squadQuestions
What is the back pass rule?
A goalkeeper can't handle the ball inside their own penalty area if a team-mate deliberately kicked it to them, or threw it to them straight from a throw-in.
Can a goalkeeper pick up a header from a team-mate?
Yes. Only deliberate kicks and throw-ins count, so a header, chest or knee back to the keeper can be picked up, as long as it isn't a trick to get round the rule.
What is the punishment for a back pass?
An indirect free kick to the other team from where the goalkeeper handled the ball, moved out to the goal area line if it was inside the goal area.
When was the back pass rule introduced?
It appears in the Laws of the Game from the 1992-93 edition.
Is there a back pass rule in 5-a-side?
Usually yes, and many 5-a-side leagues are stricter: the keeper can't handle any pass from a team-mate. Check your league's rules or agree it before you play.