Question Number: 12038

Law 16 - Goal Kick 1/6/2006

RE: Under 14

Amy of Mcallen, Tx USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 10423

When a ball goes out of bounds, i'm a golie, do i have a option to kick it or does a defender kick a goal kick?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Amy,
Simply YES you have the option.,
You are a keeper, well you have my respect that is a tough position to play it requires courage and brains to do well.
to go further is not required just added some filler for you! ;o)

Tactically you need to think power to clear (big boot upfield) or
quality of pass to retain posession (set play to release players into open spots for a controlled ball. usually delivered quickly to a free defender just outside the Penalty area.)

The two touchlines run length ways and the two goallines run sideways to complete the rectangle shape of a field.
When a ball leaves the long outside perimiter boundries of the field we call it going into touch along the sidelines as we can now throw the ball back in with our hands. When the ball travels outside the goalline we either have a goal kick if last touched by the opponent or a corner kick if last touched by the defence. This is the same as out of bounds by definition. Any player can take any free kick at any time unless it is a series of PK kicks where that applies to only the 1st kick in the series and again once all have had a turn. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

As Ref Dawson points out, you are a player and have the option to take a kick OR throw-in, just like any other player on the field but always consider the tactical aspects. Good luck to you. All the best,