Question Number: 15139

Law 16 - Goal Kick 4/9/2007

RE: Competitive Under 13

Aubrey Waddell of Maryville, TN USA asks...

Player A for the red team placed the ball on the goal area line and attempted a goal kick. All other players except keeper were out of the penalty area. Player A did not get much weight on his kick, and the ball slowly rolled in the penalty area toward the penalty area boundary, and in my judgement would have rolled over the penalty area boundary. Player A raced forward and kicked the ball again, while the ball was still rolling and still in the penalty area, and this time the ball left the penalty area. I called double touch on Player A with indirect free kick for the blue team from the spot of the double touch. Should this have been a re-kick instead because the ball failed to leave the penalty area before the double touch?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Aubrey Aubrey Aubrey
YES it MUST in law be a retake
You could caution the kicker if you felt he did it to avoid the opponent just outside as ready to knock the ball into goal once the ball COMPLETELY LEFT the penalty area but a warning and retake at that level generally sufficent!

I expect you to understand the consequences of a misapplication of the law! If a goal resulted because you awarded an INDFK in this case it is a PROTESTABLE Situation and the game likely ordered to be replayed.

Do not worry past this point, just learn, do not repeat this and spread the word to others as you now know this like the back of your hand! Right?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I agree with Mr. Dawson. I am afraid that you have incorrectly applied the laws of the game. As the ball was never in play you cannot change the restart which was a goal kick. If the keeper had done this after the ball had been kicked directly beyond the penalty area and into play then your decision would have been the correct one, however that didn't happen.

This is a good opportunity for you to remember that on any goal kicks or any FREE kick where the kick is being taken by a team from a spot within their own penalty area -- the ball MUST leave the penalty area into the field of play, to be in play.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Should have been a retake. Ball never left penalty area so the ball was never put in play.