<P> In association football, the back - pass rule prohibits the goalkeeper from handling the ball in most cases when it is passed to them by a team - mate . It is described in Law 12, Section 2 of the Laws of the Game . </P> <P> Goalkeepers are normally allowed to handle the ball within their own penalty area, and once they have control of the ball in their hands opposition players may not challenge them for it . However the back - pass rule prohibits goalkeepers from handling the ball after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a team - mate, or after receiving it directly from a throw - in taken by a team - mate . Back - passes with parts of the body other than the foot, such as headers, are not prohibited . Despite the popular name "back - pass rule", there is no requirement in the laws that the kick or throw - in must be backwards; handling by the goalkeeper is forbidden regardless of the direction the ball travels . </P> <P> The penalty for the offence is an indirect free kick . This is awarded from the position where the handling occurred, unless it is within the 6 - yard goal area, in which the kick is taken from the point on the 6 - yard line closest to the point of the offence . </P>

Where is the goalie allowed to pick up the ball