This Video from the... Ken Aston Referee Society - Channel

Law #16		Law #16 Extra
Download ~ Law-16.mp3 Duration - 1:00 | 0.475MB		Download ~ Law-16-Extra.mp3 Duration - 1:00 | 0.475MB

To recognize a correct goal kick and how to deal with any infringements.

1. Introduction: 2. Procedure: 3. Infringements/Sanctions: 4. Action by Referee and Assistant Referee: ... including positioning: Questions & Answers

1. Introduction:

There are three possible decisions when the ball passes over the goal line. (The goal line is the line between the corner flags at the ends of the field of play). - Goal kick - If the ball was last touched by an attacking player and a goal was not scored - Corner kick - If the ball was last touched by a defending player and a goal was not scored - Place kick - If a goal is scored (i.e. during play, the whole of the ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts.

A goal kick is one method of restarting play when the ball has left the field of play and has traveled beyond the boundary lines.

Players from either team cannot be offside directly from a goal kick. In other words, a player cannot be offside if he receives the ball directly from a goal kick taken by a player of his own team (or a throw-in or a corner kick).

A goal may be scored directly into the opponent’s goal from a goal kick.
It would take some kick to do this!!!!

You cannot score a goal in your own goal direct from taking a goal kick in your penalty area. Daft as it may seem - as a player - I have actually seen this done. A defending colleague of mine (Dear Colin) decided that he would take a quick goal kick. Just as he was about to pass the ball to a team member on the edge of the penalty area, an attacker quickly anticipated Colin's intention. Colin then quickly decided that he would then kick the ball to another colleague who was standing on the opposite corner of the penalty area. In doing so, Colin got his legs tangled beneath him and actually kicked the ball directly onto his goal. The Referee took a few moments to decide that the goal kick had to be taken again - because the ball had not actually left the penalty area.

During the taking of a goal kick, if the ball leaves the penalty area, and is then promptly blown back into the goal kicker's own goal, a corner kick must be awarded to the opposing team - because the ball did come into play by leaving the penalty area and the goal kicker was the last person to touch the ball. You cannot score a own-goal directly from a goal kick.

A goal kick is awarded when:

- The whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10 (Method of Scoring). Beware when the ball is crossed over by an attacking player from a wide position near the touchline, and it crosses over the goal line, out of play in flight, and then bends back into play - a goal kick must be awarded because the ball initially went out of play over the goal line.

2. Procedure:

In an effort to speed up the game during the taking of a goal kick, a player of the defending team can kick the ball from any point within the goal area. In other words, if an attacking player last touched the ball and it crosses the goal line to the right of the right hand goalpost, then the resulting goal kick can be taken on the left hand side of the goal area (or any other part of the goal area).

- The ball must be placed so that it touches the ground within the goal area, including the lines which enclose it. The outer edge of the ball could extend beyond or outside the goal area itself and still meet this requirement so long as it does not break the plane of the goal area boundary lines.

OK	OK	Not OK	OK
Inside Goal Area	Inside Goal Area	Outside Goal Area	Inside Goal Area

Note:

The ball only leaves any area of the field of play...
when it has passed wholly over one of the boundary lines that encompass that particular area.

3. Infringements/Sanctions:

If the ball is not kicked directly into play beyond the penalty area:

- The goal kick must be retaken

Goal kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands)
before it has touched another player:

- An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:

- A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

- A penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker's penalty area

Goal kick taken by the goalkeeper

If, after the ball is in play,
the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands)
before it has touched another player:

- An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

If, after the ball is in play,
the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:

- A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

- An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

*One way that this could happen is if during the taking of a goal kick, the ball is lofted up into the air, travels outside of the penalty area (it is then deemed to be in play) and is then blown back into the penalty area without being touched by another player. If the goalkeeper then touches it with his hands you must award an indirect free kick, and not a penalty. Daft as it seems, I have actually seen this happen during a game played in very blustery conditions.

*Another way this daft law could happen, is for the ball to deflect back off the Referee who is standing outside of the penalty area when the goal kick is taken!

For any other infringement of this Law:

- The kick is retaken (For example - during the taking of a goal kick, an attacker cuts across the penalty area before the ball has left the penalty area, and intercepts the ball by making a challenge on a defender who is outside of the penalty area with the ball.) The Referee should advise the attacker about the breach of this Law. Defenders can take up any position that they want either inside or outside of the area during the taking of a goal kick; but opponents must remain outside of the penalty area until the ball leaves the penalty area.

- If a player taking a goal kick, kicks the ball slightly backwards and the ball then leaves the penalty area and crosses over the goal line between the player's penalty area and the corner flag - the a corner must be awarded. Because the ball has traveled outside of the penalty area, it is deemed in play. If it then travels over the player's own goal line it must be a corner (as the ball was last touched by the defending player himself).

- Conversely, if a player taking a goal kick kicks the ball slightly backwards and the ball does not leave the penalty area and then crosses the player's goal line inside his penalty area - then the goal kick must be retaken.
Because the ball had not traveled outside of the penalty area, it is deemed not yet in play. The goal kick must therefore be retaken.

- And again as a reminder - a goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team. In other words, a goal is not allowed if you take a goal kick, in your own penalty area and the ball is then blown directly back into your own goal after leaving your penalty area. A corner kick is to be awarded to the opposition if this ever happens!!!!!!!

- If a defender takes a goal kick, and kicks it to his goalkeeper who is just outside of his penalty area, and the goalkeeper then dribbles the ball back into his penalty area and picks the ball up, you must award an indirect free kick to the opposing team. The goalkeeper has circumnavigated the 'back-pass' law by ignoring the spirit of the Law.

- A goal kick is awarded when the ball enters the goal directly from an indirect free kick taken by an opposing player.

- A goal kick is awarded if the ball enters the goal directly from a throw in taken by the opposing team.

- A corner kick is awarded to the opposing team if the ball enters the thrower's own goal directly from his own throw in.

- If during the taking of a goal kick, one team continually plays the ball before it leaves the penalty area, the Referee should penalize the offenders for time wasting.

- If the ball stops rolling before it leaves the penalty area, the goal kick must be retaken.

Time-wasting by the team taking the goal kick.

Example 1: If upon being awarded a goal kick, the defending team blatantly wastes time by placing the ball within the goal area in preparation for the restart and then subsequently moving it unnecessarily to another location within the goal area. This can be deemed as time wasting.

Example 2: When the ball has traveled some distance behind the goal, the winning goalkeeper takes an age to collect a ball for the goal kick. This can be deemed as time wasting. This usually happens when towards the end of the game.

The Referee should firstly warn the culprit about his time wasting tactics.
If this continues, the Referee should caution the player concerned - for delaying the restart of play.

4. Action by Referee and Assistant Referee:

The Referee will take the following actions during and after a goal kick has been awarded:

- The Referee should signal the award of a goal kick by pointing an outstretched, slightly downward arm towards the goal area - and hold this signal for about 5 seconds. This will demonstrate your decision to all players.

- You do not necessarily have to blow your whistle when awarding each goal kick. You only need to blow the whistle if players are in any doubt as to whether you have decided that the ball has traveled out of play over the goal line.

- Once you have indicated a goal kick, start moving backwards to a new position near the center of the pitch to observe any fouls in the drop zone, when the goalkeeper takes the goal kick. Be aware also, of fouls committed whilst the ball is still in air following the taking of a goal kick. Try and position yourself to allow a sideways view of players contesting for the ball delivered from a goal kick. You soon learn just how far an individual goalkeeper can kick the ball during a goal kick. Do not stand on the center spot - move out towards the touchline to enable a good panoramic view of the drop zone. (The drop zone is where you think the ball will be delivered during a goal kick.)

- Do not turn your back on play before the goal kick has been taken. This is one of the commonest mistakes made by new Referees. Keep your eyes on the ball at all times. It only takes a second for the goalkeeper to take a goal kick, and an attacker then illegally and quickly enters the penalty area, gains possession of the ball before it has left the penalty area and scores a goal - and all done when you (the Referee) are walking away with your back to the ball!!

The Assistant Referee will take the following actions to signal to the Referee
that the ball has passed over the goal line for a goal kick,
and to check that the goalkeeper completes the goal kick correctly:

The following repeats some of the advice given above...

- As soon as the Referee has indicated a goal kick, he should start moving backwards to a new position near the center of the field of play, in readiness to observe any fouls in the drop zone when the goal kick is being taken. - The Referee should look out for fouls committed whilst the ball is still in air following the taking of a goal kick. Referees should aim to position themselves to allow a sideways view of the players contesting for the ball as it is being delivered from the goal kick. Referees will need to anticipate just how far an individual goalkeeper can kick the ball during a goal kick. - Referees should never turn their back on the active players before a goal kick has been taken - this is a common mistake made by new Referees. The Referee must keep his eyes on the ball at all times during the taking of a goal kick. It only takes a fraction of a second (whilst the Referee has his back turned) for the goalkeeper to take a goal kick, and an attacker then illegally enters the penalty area, gains possession of the ball before it has left the penalty area and scores a goal - and all done when the Referee is walking away and looking in the opposite direction!! - The Assistant Referee nearest to the respective goal should signal to the Referee when the ball has passed over the goal line for a goal kick, and check that the goalkeeper completes the goal kick correctly. The Assistant Referee should position himself slightly up the touchline from the corner flag, adjacent to the level of the goal area line (see AR position, top right in Fig. 4). The Assistant Referee should stand sideways to the field of play (facing up towards the half way line) and raise outstretched flag 90 degrees out horizontally from the body and towards the goal. - The Assistant Referee can also use body language (depending on the Referee's instruction to him at the beginning of the game). To signal a goal kick using body language, the Assistant Referee should face sideways to the field of play (facing up towards the half way line) with his flag pointing down the inside leg (i.e. so that the Referee has a clear view of the flag). If there is any dispute between players as to whether the ball has passed over the goal line, or whether it is a corner kick or a goal kick - the Assistant Referee should always use his flag for a sharp signal. - The Assistant Referee will check that the goalkeeper has placed the ball inside the goal area before moving swiftly up field along the touchline, and taking up a position alongside the second last defender (to observe any offside following the taking of the goal kick). - The Assistant Referee and/or the Referee will check to see that the ball has traveled outside the penalty area before another player touches it. - Common sense dictates that the Assistant Referee cannot be in two places at the same time. He should periodically check the correct positioning of the ball during goal kicks, but he should concentrate more on the important aspect of offside. - It is more important for the Assistant Referee to be in a position to judge offside, than it is to worry about whether a ball is in the goal area (or not) before the taking of a goal kick. A good compromise (starting point) is for the Assistant Referees to stand up field, adjacent to the edge of the penalty area. (i.e. 18 yards up from the corner flag). - This allows the Assistant Referee to judge the positioning of the ball in the goal area, and lessens the distance he will have to sprint up the touchline to get alongside the second last defender, when the goal kick is taken. - During the taking of goal kicks, Referees should move out towards the touchline to enable a good panoramic sideways view of the drop zone. (The drop zone is where the Referee anticipates that the ball will reach during a goal kick.) - By standing to one side, the Referee can watch for any pushing or shirt pulling between contesting players. - Once the ball has reached the drop-zone the Referee should adjust his position back onto (or near to) his diagonal. It is not recommended that Referees stand in the center circle (unless the ball is going to be punted out near one of the touchlines). - Positioning during the taking of goal kicks, very much depends on a number of factors: - (a)....Which side of the goal area is the goal kick being taken from, or the ability of the goalkeeper (e.g. how far can he kick the ball), - (b)....The weather (which direction is the wind blowing ?), - (c)....The skill of the players (one team may be better than the other team when contesting for high balls), - (d)....The state of the field of play (the goal area may resemble a muddy patch, making it difficult for the goalkeeper to kick the ball properly - or the grass may be too long) and finally, - (e)....The age of the player taking the goal kick (a youth player will not be able to kick the ball as far as a senior player). - There are two basic positions for a Referee to stand during the taking of a goal kick (positions (1)'s and (2)'s shown in Fig. 4). The positions can vary slightly - depending on the factors mentioned above. For example: If the square team goalkeeper at the top of Fig. 4 has a good long range kicking ability, the Referee should stand at the farthest downfield position (2). This will enable the Referee to have a good panoramic view of the play area.

Questions and Answers:

This web site and the advice and answers to any questions are not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The opinions expressed on this site should not be considered official interpretations of the Laws of the Game. Although the content of the latest Laws are included on this site, the majority of the content is the opinion of the Webmaster and other Referees worldwide. If you need an official ruling you should contact your local representative/association or visit the FIFA, or the English FA web sites for the Laws themselves.

Questions and Answers:

Question 1: Before the ball has left the penalty area during the taking of a goal kick - an opponent strikes a defender. What action should the Referee take?

Answer 1: Stop play immediately. Send off the opponent. Retake the goal kick - because the ball had not come into play by leaving the penalty area when play was stopped.

Question 2: During a goal kick, the ball is accidentally kicked over the goal line inside the penalty area. What action should the Referee take?

Answer 2: Retake the goal kick - as the ball had not come into play by leaving the penalty area.

Question 3: Where does the team awarded a goal kick have to place the ball, can they place it anywhere they choose within the goal area?

Answer 3: The Laws used to require that the goal kick be taken on the side of goal on which the ball went out. This changed several years ago and players can place the ball anywhere inside the goal area.

Question 4: What action should the Referee take during a goal kick, if the ball just makes it to the penalty area line and stops there?

Answer 4: The lines are part of the penalty area; therefore a ball sitting on the line is actually still within the penalty area and has therefore not come into play. The goal kick should be retaken.

Question 5: If the ball fails to clear the penalty area during the taking of a goal kick and the goal kicker touches it again before it has left the penalty area - what action should the Referee take?

Answer 5: So long as the ball has not left the penalty area, it is simply not in play and players can pick it up, stuff it under their shirt, balance it on their head, whatever, with the only penalty being a retake of the goal kick, subject to unsporting behavior and a repeated infringement of time wasting which should be disciplined accordingly.

Question 6: When can the kicking team's goalkeeper safely pick up a ball following a a goal kick by his own team?

Answer 6: Only when the ball has first passed completely out of the penalty area and has then been touched by an opposing player can the goalkeeper safely pick it up. He may not handle a ball, which has been intentionally kicked back to him to him by a teammate. He may handle the ball if it is returned to him by a teammate - but only if the pass/touch by the colleague was unintentional.

Question 7: How far can a ball be kicked during a goal kick?

Answer 7: In general, (so long as it leaves the penalty area) it can be kicked as far as you want. However, most tournaments that play six-a side for instance, as well as most indoor football venues may stipulate other rules. Some even allow the goalkeeper to throw the ball out during a goal kick.

Question 8: The Assistant Referee has signaled for a goal kick but the Referee has awarded a corner kick?

Answer 8: The actions of the Assistant Referee are subject to the decision of the Referee. Regardless of who was technically "correct", a corner kick would normally be awarded - although it may be prudent to have a word with your Assistant Referee beforehand. The Referee should listen to his Assistant Referee's advice, and make a judgment accordingly. But the final decision lies is the prerogative of the Referee.

Question 9: If a goalkeeper (during the taking of a goal kick) kicks the ball directly up field to an attacking colleague standing in an offside position in the opponent's goal area at the other end of the field, and the attacking player subsequently heads the ball into the opponents goal - is the goal legal, or should this attacking player be penalized for being offside?

Answer 9: A player cannot be offside if he receives the ball directly from a goal kick (or a throw-in or a corner kick). In this instance, the ball did not touch any other player and the attacker received it directly from the goal kick. The attacker cannot be penalized for being offside direct from a goal kick, and therefore the goal counts.

An attacking player in this position can of course be penalized for offside if he receives the ball directly when his goalkeeper kicks the ball from his hands or from a free kick.

It is sometimes difficult for an Assistant Referee who is watching for offside, to ascertain if the Referee has given a direct free kick to the defending team in their goal area at the other end of the field, or a goal kick. If an attacking player in an offside position directly receives the ball from a goal kick, then he should not be penalized for being offside. Conversely, if the ball is directly received by an offside attacking player from a free kick (taken in that attacking player's own goal area) then he should be penalized for being offside. In these instances (to help his Assistant Referees) the Referee should use clear hand and arm signals to differentiate between a goal kick and a free kick given in the goal areas.

Question 10: if a player taking a goal kick intentionally plays the ball with his hand when the ball has left the penalty area but before another player has touched it. What is decision should the Referee make?

Answer 10: The Referee should award a direct free kick to the opposing team, at the place where the ball was handled.

Question 11: If a player (other then the goalkeeper) takes a goal-kick and the ball passes out of the penalty-area into play but is blown back into the penalty area by a strong wind without any other player having touched it, and a player of the defending side (other than the goalkeeper) plays the ball with his hand within the penalty-area - should the Referee award a penalty-kick?

Answer 11: Yes, because as soon as the ball leaves the penalty area during a goal kick, it comes into play and normal rules apply (e.g. a penalty kick is awarded if a player handles the ball in his own penalty area). If in similar circumstances, the goalkeeper takes the goal-kick and tries to stop the ball entering the goal and just touches the ball with his hand but fails to prevent it passing into goal, the Referee should award an indirect free-kick.

Question 12: If a player is intentionally tripped before the ball passes out of the penalty area when a goal kick is being taken, should a free kick be awarded?

Answer 12: No, the ball is not in play until it has been out of the penalty area. The offender shall be cautioned or sent off and the goal kick should be retaken.

Question 13: After a goal kick has been taken, the ball strikes the Referee inside the penalty area and continues into play. Should the goal kick be retaken?

Answer 13: No. Any contact between the ball and the Referee on the field of play is considered irrelevant, and play should be allowed to continue. The Referee is part of the field of play.

Question 14: At the taking of a goal kick the ball is in the goal area but it is ROLLING when the goalkeeper kicks it beyond the penalty area. Is the ball in play or not?

Answer 14: Albeit that Law 13 The Free kick clearly stipulates that the ball must be stationary when a free kick is taken; as the question rightly implies, there is no such written stipulation in Law 16 The Goal Kick (nor in Law 17 The Corner Kick). And neither does it state that if the kick is taken when the ball is NOT stationary, that the kick must be taken again. The only hint of help given is the statement "For any other infringement of this Law, the kick is retaken.

The requirement of a stationary ball during a goal kick and a corner kick has been accepted and understood by all throughout the history of football. The current England FA Basic Syllabus Part Two ‘ The Teaching Notes’ used by Referee Instructors, does categorically state in its Law 16 & Law 17 notes, that the ball must be stationary. And this is where new Referees will learn how these kicks are to be taken correctly.

Even though the Law does not exactly ‘spell it out’ - allowing a goal kick or a corner kick to proceed whilst the ball is ‘rolling’ is unacceptable. Why? – Because if you do, you will leave yourself open to ridicule. There are two decisions you can make if the ball is rolling.

- 1. Insist that the kick be retaken.

- 2. Allow the kick to proceed.

I think that most other Referees and I will take option 1.

Notwithstanding the above, I believe that the omission of the statement " The ball must be stationary when the kick is taken" should appear in both Law 16 & 17.