Question Number: 14779

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/2/2007

RE: rec Under 9

clark roush of parkland, FL. united states asks...

Are players allowed in the goal box behind the goalie? We had a game and when there was a corner kick or throw in close to the goal, the other coach would set 1 or 2 players on the goal line, usually behind my goal keeper.

Thanks in advance,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Players are entitled to any position on the field they wish to take, provided there isn't already another player there. There are restrictions on some restarts such as a kickoffs (must be in your own half), free kicks of which a corner kick is one (opponents must be at least 10 yards away) and penalty kicks (must be outside the penalty area and arc, and behind the ball). However, the only restriction on a throw-in is that the opponents be at least 2 meters/yards from the thrower.

Answer provided by Referee Mike Gartenhaus

Clark,
Ref Voshol is correct, but I would like ot add that once the corner kick or set play is started, the players on the goal line could be guilty of impeding the keeper if they are in his way to getting to the ball, and once the ball has been touched by a teammate of the attackers, these guys could very easily be guilty of being offside and involved in the play.
Thank you for writing.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This is a good tactic by the opposing coach as there is no offside if the ball is received directly from a corner kick or throw-in. I wonder, however, if any U9 player could get the ball to the teammate from a corner or throw-in.