Question Number: 24280

Law 16 - Goal Kick 11/5/2010

RE: Rec Under 17

Isaac of SACRAMENTO, CA USA asks...

When a Goal Kick is taken, some kickers make it a practice to set the ball down, back off, race forward, pick up the ball, and move it to another spot along the 6-yard line. Referee blows whistle. What is the correct restart?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

This is not permitted under high school rules (NFHS). But, the referee generally just should warn the player not to move the ball once it is spotted. If the referee determines that the player has done so to waste time, the player may be cautioned (for unsporting conduct) or on repetition after a warning (persistent infringement), The restart is to take the goal kick.

Repositioning the ball is permitted under the Laws of the Game. However, if the referee determines that the player has done so to waste time and delay the restart of play (for which the player may be cautioned for delaying the restart). The restart is to take the goal kick.

Infringements that occur when the ball is not in play rarely change the restart.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Isaac
The correct restart is a goal kick. In a FIFA/USSF game it is a matter for the referee to decide whether he/she will take any disciplinary action against the player for delaying the restart. If it is a genuine repositioning of the ball due to irregularities on the field then no action is required. Sometimes a word with the player will suffice while other times it will merit a caution when it is done to waste time and delay putting the ball back into play.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

In FIFA/USSF/USYS games, the referee has the ability to add time on to compensate for wasted time. (Except in those competitions which schedule games so closely together that they take this valuable tool away from the referee.) So when this happens the first time, and maybe even second time, the referee needs only warn the player to not waste time. If the team persists in dawdling, then the referee can progress to a caution for delaying a restart or persistent infringement.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The restart doesn't change, it's still a Goal Kick. USSF our soccer governing body has ruled that once the ball is placed on the ground at the taking of a Goal Kick it is not to be moved. As soon as the player picked the ball up the referee should have blown the whistle and told the player to leave it where it was. Once placed there is no reason to move it so USSF has decided this is time wasting.
Two thoughts:
1. LOTG allow this so long as the referee does not consider it time wasting.
2. Having coached lower age groups where this tactic is usually attempted I was, and am, perplexed why any coach would think his/her team could gain any advantage employing this tactic as the opponents simply shift with the ball movement