Question Number: 15407

Law 16 - Goal Kick 5/6/2007

RE: representative level Under 16

mary daly of gosford, nsw australia asks...

Can the sweeper from the same team be in the 18 yard box when the keeper is taking a goal kick

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Yes. All 10 of the goalkeeper's teammates can be inside the penalty area at that time, if they want to be. The goalkeeper doesn't have to be the one taking the goal kick, either.

However, the ball must enter the field of play beyond the penalty area before it is in play. No other player from either team can touch the ball before it completely crosses the line.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

You betcha. There are no requierments as to how many defenders may be in penalty area during a goal kick. Only requierment is that no attackers are in penalty area until ball leaves it.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Normally, on a decent team, only one person is in the penalty area and that player takes the kick. On a lesser skilled team one takes the kick and one is on the goal line between the posts just in case. What does the Law say about defenders positions, nothing. It does, however, mention ALL opponents remain outside the penalty area where and free kick is taken until the ball is in play, that is kicked directly beyond the penalty area onto the field of play.

Regards,