Question Number: 16103

Law 16 - Goal Kick 7/24/2007

RE: Class 1 Adult

Jim Ferris of Martinez, CA USA asks...

In studying for my USSF Grade 8 I was reading Law 16 - it states that the ball is in play when it is directly kicked beyond the penalty area.

However, in the Infringements section it states that if the kicker commits a second touch or handles the ball an IFK or DFK/PK is awarded to the other team.

How can this be since the ball is not in play until it wholely crosses the Penalty Area line? A penal foul can only be committed when the ball is in play.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Hmm. Good for you to be studying - you'll make an excellent grade! But, read more closely...my copy of the Laws of the Game clears it up a bit, because it clarifies all of the infringements take place AFTER the ball is in play,including the second touch or handling. If the ball isn't in play (not out of the penalty area) when the player forgets and does a second touch or touches the ball with his hands, then all we do is retake the kick. Isn't the logic lovely?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The ball is in play when it crosses completely outside of the penalty area. If the kicker runs after the ball and touches it again, it is an indirect free kick (unless the second touch was handling, then the restart is a direct free kick).

Alternatively the ball could go back into the penalty area if there was a very strong wind, if it was kicked with severe back-spin, or if it rebounded off the referee. If touched again by the kicker, an indirect free kick. If the ball was handled inside the PA by anyone on the kicking team other than the goalkeeper, the restart would be a penalty kick.

Best of luck with your certification test. Remember - restarts, restarts, restarts! Get them right and you're well on the way to earning your badge.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jim,
yes there is no possible additional foul until the ball has cleared the penalty area. Any act that occurs before this occurs is ONLY misconduct. So IF the defender touches the ball with his hands inside the PA to say prevent an attacker perched outside about to kick it back that is misconduct, it is a retake, BUT a possible caution for WHY it was done! Cheers