Question Number: 17420

League Specific 10/21/2007

RE: Rec

Lee Calkins of Royal Oak, MI USA asks...

During my second season as a referee I have been assigned to several Premier games. Which in this part of country is higher level play than rec/house leagues. In the Under 10 division there is a goal kick rule that allows the keeper to punt, place and kick or throw the ball into play. I have had several coaches ask, and I cannot find any other instruction about two questions this rule brings on.
1. When the ball is placed on the ground, is the ball then live? I have ruled that the ball is not in play due to the fact it hasn't entirely crossed the penalty markings.
2. Can the goalie place the ball on the ground then change his/her mind and pickup the ball and move to a different location for the restart? Thus far I have allowed this because it has not delayed play in any real amount.
Thanks for your answers.
P.S. Hello Gary

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I guess this is to ensure the goal kick will leave the penalty area! At a goal kick, the ball is out of play and there's no modification for that. So if the ball is placed on the ground or punted or thrown, the opponents are not allowed to challenge and the ball still is not in play until it leaves the penalty area. You may want to ask your State SDI for further advice. 2. Once the ball is on the ground it's supposed to stay there. All moving it does is delay the restart of play, which is cautionable. That said, the easiest thing is to simply not allow it. I've often wondered why coaches try to employ the tactic of switching sides of a goal kick. All that happens if allowed is the opponents run to the other side of the field.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The answer to this question may only be found in the published changes brought forth by whoever it was that changes the Laws of the Game to suit their idea of what is fair. Should they not have covered every contingency it lays to them to unscrew themselves. The casual reader will remember that only five things are allowed to be changed and those only with the permission of the national organization concerned.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Hi Lee, you have just found out why several of us don't care for the changes promulgated by this league. They don't provide answers to the questions you present. It's every ref for himself in interpreting these rules.

I'm with you on (1). Since they're replacing the goal kick with an alternative method, the ref has to best approximate the procedures of a goal kick, including clearing the penalty area to be in play.

(2) should not be allowed, unless it is trifling. If you decide it isn't wasting time, there would be no need to caution it. But you might discourage it, so that it doesn't become time-wasting.

Hey, at least they got rid of the Indirect Penalty Kick that was in their first version of the small-sided rules.