Question Number: 23185

Law 16 - Goal Kick 4/26/2010

RE: School Under 16

Darren of Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa asks...

If my team is taking a goal kick. Can I or any other player in my team also be in the 18 yard box to receive the ball.
I would also like to ask, just out of interest, what league you referee in (or use to referee in).

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Darren
Any player from the defending team can be inside the penalty area at a goal kick but no attacking player can be in there. Also the ball is not in play until it leaves the penalty area so if the ball is touched by a defender or an attacker inside the PA the goal kick is retaken.

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Any player on the kicking team may be inside the penalty area at the taking of a goal kick. They may not, however, touch the ball before it leaves the penalty area. If they do, the goal kick is retaken

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Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

There are no restrictions on the location of the kicking team at a goal kick. But, they cannot touch the ball until it leaves the penalty area.

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