Question Number: 18665

Law 16 - Goal Kick 4/1/2008

RE: U9 Rec Under 10

Dan Middleton of Winfield, BC Canada asks...

When awarded a GOAL kick, does the goalie have to place it on the ground or can they do a drop kick?

Is there different situations that would allow the goalie to drop kick the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The ball must be touching the ground and the ball must be touching the goal area in some way. The ball must be stationary as it is kicked. The keeper may not drop kick the ball on a goal kick.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The goalkeeper doesn't have to be the player taking the kick. Any player from the side may take a goal kick.

However, I notice you put down U9/U10. Maybe you are playing under one of those "enlightened" set of rules for U-littles as was foisted off on us a few years back. We don't have goal kicks - instead we give the ball to the goalkeeper in her hands, and she decides what to do with it - throw, drop kick, punt, etc. I asked the Commissioner what if she put it down on the ground and take what we would think of as a normal goal kick - was the ball in play when she put it down?

Oh, and because they made the fields so small for the helpless little darlings, they made another rule that if the goalkeeper throws or kicks the ball across the half line on the fly, it's an IFK for the other team at the center spot.

At least they restored throw-ins after the first year.

Can you tell I'm not fond of this league's U-little rules? And I haven't even told you about the indirect penalty kick yet.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The ball must be stationary on the ground anywhere inside the goal area. Any player on the kicking team may take a goal kick.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Ball must be stationary in the goal area before it is kicked.