Question Number: 21327

Law 16 - Goal Kick 5/12/2009

RE: Rec. Under 12

Devon Ragoonath of Charlotte, NC USA asks...

My question is about GOAL KICKS... I wanted to know how many people are allowed in the box during a goal kick? I've heard various answers on the whole team if they like, or the goalie along with one other player...What is correct?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Devon if it is YOUR goal kick your entire team is allowed to be inside the penalty area although why you would want to is a mystery. On a Goal kick or in fact ANY defending free kick coming out from your own penalty area which includes the goal area the ball must travel into play across the penalty area boundries into the field BEFORE ANYONE fron either team could play the ball a second time except of course the original kicker. ;o)

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The opponents must all exit the penalty area for goal kicks, or for any free kicks inside the PA. Any number of the teammates of the kicker are allowed to stay. Although as Ref Dawson says, it would be best if at least one of them was outside the PA to receive the kick ...

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Devon, sometimes one has to read the blank spaces in the Laws. If Law 16 says all opponents must be out of the penalty area on goal kicks, and there is no mention of the teammates, then the omission means they can be there. Does that make sense?

If they are all in there, I do so hope the kicker has good aim, or we could be all day trying to get the ball out of the penalty area! Wait! Is that the tactic this coach is using to waste time in a game? Nah, that can't be...

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

From The Laws Of The Game:

Procedure
? The ball is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player
of the defending team
? Opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
? The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another
player
? The ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area

The Laws forbid any OPPONENT being inside the penalty area at the taking of a goal kick but say nothing about teammates. Theoretically, EVERY player of the team taking the goal kick is allowed inside the penalty area. If the ball touches any of them before exiting the penalty area, the kick must be retaken

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 21521