Question Number: 21608

Law 16 - Goal Kick 6/30/2009

RE: Competitive Adult

Matt of Pointe Claire, Quebec Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 20571

Regarding this question. If the ball had left the penalty area and was blown back by a strong wind. Should you have advised the goal keeper not to touch the ball and allow it to enter the goal thus giving away a corner rather than an indirect free kick from a point parallel to where he touches the ball on the goal line?

You cannot score on your own goal directly from a goal kick.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I would not advise this. We don't want to get in the business of coaching the players. That's not our job. If we don't like coaches and players trying to referee, we shouldn't be trying to coach. Who knows, maybe the team is better at defending from an IFK than from a corner.

This is different than sometimes reminding players of their responsibilities under the Laws. We should be talking with the players to diffuse situations or warn: 'Easy there', 'No fouls', 'Don't do it #7' (to avoid misconduct/retaliation), etc. But we should not be telling players to do or not do a specific play, as you are suggesting. We start that, and we might as well be yelling, 'Take the shot!'

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It's not the referee's place to give any kind of advice in this situation. Corner kicks are scoring opportunities also so I'm not even sure it would be good advice.

You are correct that if he doesn't touch the ball the restart is a corner kick for the opponents. It should be noted that if the keeper stops the ball from entering the goal he is NOT guilty of DOGSO for reasons covered in both Law 16 and Law 12