Question Number: 24213

Law 16 - Goal Kick 10/21/2010

RE: Rec Under 10

Michael Crane of Dallas, TX USA asks...

On a goal kick, I understand that the ball can be placed anywhere within the goal area. Once placed on the ground, can the ball be picked up and moved to a new spot, and if so, how many times before it becomes a delay?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michael
It all depends on why it being done and in the opinion of the referee. If it is being done to delay the restart of play then the referee will not tolerate that and it could be a caution for doing it once or if it was repeated after being told to get on with play.
At U10 the referee may exercise some discretion in the matter if the goalkeeper is trying to place the ball in a better position to kick it, such as on the top of a small divot and it rolls off it. It can be a problem on poor quality ground and the GK does not want to kick the ball out of a rut.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Coach. Here in the US you best not teach your players to put the ball down and then switch to the other side of the goal area. First, having refereed many U10 and U12 games, the team taking the goal kick almost never get any kind of advantage. Second, the USSF official position is that there is no reason to do this so it is viewed as time wasting.
From:2010-2011   ADVICE TO REFEREES ON THE LAWS OF THE GAME

12.28.4 DELAYS THE RESTART OF PLAY The following are specific examples of this form of misconduct (some of which may also be committed by substitutes or substituted players):
? Kicks or throws the ball away or holds the ball to prevent or delay a free kick, throw-in, or corner kick restart by an opponent

? Unnecessarily moving a ball which has already been properly placed on the ground for a goal kick