A goalie can pick up the ball only inside their own penalty area , and only when the ball is not coming from certain teammate actions. They cannot use their hands outside the box, and they cannot handle a ball that a teammate deliberately kicked to them.

When it is allowed

  • The ball is inside the penalty area.
  • The ball was last touched by an opponent.
  • A teammate did not deliberately kick it back to them.

When it is not allowed

  • The ball is outside the penalty area.
  • A teammate deliberately passes or kicks the ball to the goalie with the foot.
  • The goalie has already released the ball and then tries to pick it up again without an opponent touching it first.

Extra rule

Once the goalie has the ball in their hands, they usually have six seconds to release it.

If you want the simplest version: inside the box, yes; outside the box, no; and no handling a deliberate back-pass with the feet.