What action is taken when the goalkeeper handles a ball kicked back by a teammate?

When a goalkeeper handles a ball that has been deliberately kicked back to them by a teammate, the appropriate action is to award an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the spot where the goalkeeper touched the ball. This is based on the Laws of the Game, specifically the Law concerning the goalkeeper and the rules around back-passes.

The rationale behind this rule is to prevent teams from playing the ball back to their goalkeepers to waste time or avoid engaging in open play. By enforcing this rule, the game promotes a more dynamic and engaging style of play, encouraging teams to pass the ball forward rather than retreating it back to the goalkeeper.

While the other options relate to various game situations, they do not align with the specific circumstances of a goalkeeper handling a back-pass. For instance, a goal kick is awarded when the ball goes out of play over the goal line last touched by an attacking player, a penalty kick is given for fouls committed within the goalkeeper's penalty area, and a drop ball is utilized in instances of temporary stoppages or when the ball is in play but the referee determines it needs to be restarted for specific reasons. None of these scenarios apply to handling a ball directly kicked back by a teammate, solidifying the indirect free kick