Question Number: 23758

Kicks From The Penalty mark 8/11/2010

RE: Competitve Adult

Joey of Hebbville, NS Canada asks...

At the end of overtime and preparing for a PK shoot out, are the coaches allowed in the center circle to designate the shooters?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The Laws of the Game are silent on this point. Obviously the refeee must ensure that those players who are on the field stay apart from substitutes on the sidelines, so that only eligible players take part.

The USSF notes in its publication 'Advice to Referees':
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19.1 LAWS GOVERNING KICKS FROM THE PENALTY MARK
All Laws of the Game, except for those clearly modified in the separate section of the Laws dealing with kicks from the penalty mark, are in effect during this procedure. In particular, this means that the player uniform requirements in Law 4 must be enforced. It also means that the officials must continue to enforce the requirement that no one except for the players taking part in this procedure may enter or be on the field of play once the procedure has begun.
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Since there will be a short break while organizing the kicks from the penalty mark, the referee could allow the teams a short coaching moment. But once the kicks begin, only eligible players should be on the field.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

For amateur matches, I recommend that the coaches be permitted to briefly join the players on the field (to bring them water and to discuss tactics). It helps keep the players on the field away from the substitutes. The coaches then will leave the field and return to the technical area before the first kick is taken.

Note: the coach is not required to give the referee any list for the kicking order. The referee simply records who takes each kick.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I see no problem in allowing the coach to be on the field before the kicks start but must be off the field before the kicks start.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Joey
It is custom and practise that coaches, substitutes, technical staff come onto the field of play at the end of extra time before kicks from the penalty mark begin. During that time the penalty takers are identified/organsied and some coaching/ treatment/ refreshments are offered. However once the KFTPM begin on eligible players are allowed on the FOP inside the center circle.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Joey, the Laws state that once the kicks are being taken only players and the match officials are to remain on the field. The first kicker and keepers take up their positions and the remaining players stay in the circle. But the period between the end of the match and the start of kicks being taken is not governed by rules. Same as a regular half time when there is no action the coaches may enter the field. I noticed in the World Cup all kinds of people were on the field but when the kicks started only eligible players and match officials were left on the field with all but three players in the center circle.
You ask if the coaches are allowed in the circle while preparing for the kicks. Sorta. But they must be off the field PDQ as soon as the ref has organized the kicks to be taken.