Question Number: 17155

Law 1- The Field 10/7/2007

RE: rec Under 8

Melissa Mitchell of Taylor, MI USA asks...

i thought that the white box that is drawn in front of the goalie was so the goalie couldnt go out and that the opposeing team couldnt cross over....
can the opposing team player cross in the goalie's box to try and kick the ball...
isnt that dangerous....

we got yelled at because some of the fan were yelling at the ref to keep the other team out of the white box... and it wasnt untill the end of the game that we were told that the players could enter the box..

our team was taught to not go in the box....
please help
thanks

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Melissa. This may be a local regulation for your very young players but the goal area is there to show where a goal kick may be taken from and where an indirect free kick going towards the goal may be taken from. It is my understanding that long ago, the goalkeeper had additional special privileges inside his own goal area but not so anymore. During play the keeper is free to go anywhere on the field and any player may enter the goal area. You need to have your coach find out from your League what policy is. I have never heard of this but anything's possible.