Rules Of The Game

“The build-out line is used to promote playing the ball out of the back in an unpressured setting. When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play (from the opponent) or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the build-out line. Once the opposing team is behind the build-out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball to a teammate (no punting). After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build-out line and play resumes as normal.”

The red is unclear in a couple of ways. The intention is to give the goalie and defense a chance to “build out of the back” and that the ball is in play once the goalie is initiating a pass. Here are clarifications:

• The goalies doesn’t HAVE to wait for the opposing team to get beyond the build-out line if your strategy is to return the attack quickly.
• What “After the ball is put into play” means: The goalie putting the ball down on the ground is NOT putting “the ball into play.” Once the goal kicks it, that is in play. 
  • If the goalie rolls the ball out to another player, that is putting it in play.
  • If the goalie tosses the ball down and it rolls in front of them, it is not in play until they kick it.