The goalkeeper: hands, back-passes and the 8-second rule
The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use their hands, but with very specific limits. Many refereeing decisions depend on knowing when the keeper controls the ball and when they don't.
When they control the ball
The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball when holding it between their hands, between a hand and a surface (the ground or their own body), or when bouncing it or throwing it in the air to catch it. While they control it, no opponent may challenge them for it: doing so is a foul.
The 8-second rule
Since the 2025/26 season, the goalkeeper may not hold the ball in their hands for more than eight seconds. The referee gives a visible countdown with a hand during the last five. If the limit is exceeded, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents. This replaces the old indirect free kick for holding the ball too long.
The back-pass
The goalkeeper may not handle a ball deliberately kicked to them by a teammate, or one received directly from a teammate's throw-in. If they do so inside their area, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opponents.
They may pick it up if the teammate played it with the head, chest or knee, as long as it isn't a deliberate trick to get around the Law (for example, flicking the ball up with the foot to head it to the keeper). That trick earns the player who does it a yellow card.
Handling it again
Once the goalkeeper has released the ball, they may not handle it again until another player has touched it.
Outside the area
Outside their area, the goalkeeper is just another player: if they touch the ball with the hand it's handball, and their fouls are judged like anyone else's, including when they deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
An introductory summary based on the IFAB Laws of the Game (2025/26 edition). If in doubt, the official text of the Laws prevails.