Question Number: 22219

Law 16 - Goal Kick 10/12/2009

RE: Adult

amy michelle of matoon, illinois usa asks...

A goalkeeper can score with a punt from his hands and even with a throw as the ball is still in play but the question is can a goalkeeper score straight from an off the floor goal kick?, I always thought they could not, as for the ball to be in play it has to be touched by another player..somehwere in the back of my mind I always thought this was the case, but then again the rules have been amended over the years..if it is not a goal what is awarded? a goal kick at the other end?

Also, if a hapless goalkeeper kicks it into his own net from a goal kick, it is a corner to the attacking team? Correct?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

As I recall, goal kicks were made direct in the 1997 rewrite of the Laws. But as noted by my colleagues, only when scoring for yourself. You cannot score directly against yourself on a goal kick.

It would take some freaky circumstances for the ball to even end up in your net directly on a goal kick, as the ball has to exit the penalty area into the rest of the field before it is in play. And no goals can be scored while the ball is not in play.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

From page 46 of the Laws Of The Game:

A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing
team. If he kicks it into his own net it's a retake as the ball was never put into play.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Law 16 - The Goal Kick says the ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area line (onto the field) - it does NOT have to touch another player, because it is not an indirect free kick restart. So, if the ball exits the penalty area, sails through the air and past the opposing goalkeeper and into the goal, GOAL it is!! Restart - kickoff.

Teams cannot score against themselves directly on any restart that is their own, such as kickoffs, goal kicks, corner kicks, free kicks or throw-ins.

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

See Question: 22707