Question Number: 25314

Law 16 - Goal Kick 8/16/2011

RE: Rec Adult

Greg of London, Ontario canada asks...

A goal-kick is poorly kicked. The ball leaves the field of play over the goal-line, outside the goal but inside the 18 yard line that bounds the penalty area.
The call was - corner kick, but the opposing team stated that I should allowed goal kick retake. Did I make the right call?
Thank you in advance.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 16 says, 'The ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area.' That means it crosses one of the lines other than the goal line.

And, 'If the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area from a goal kick: the kick is retaken'

The opposing team was right - you should have had the kick retaken. You didn't know this; now you do. However, after the team told you what was in Law 16 and you still didn't remember ever knowing that, you were correct not to listen to them. Yes, you got the call wrong. But you have to know the Laws and absolutely know whether or not players are telling you the correct things. Sometimes we just forget, and a protesting player can cause us to remember. That's fine. But we can't allow the teams to tell us what the Law is - we have to know it. The only way is to continue studying and learning. That's one of the prime reasons for this site - to give people, including us panel members, another chance to learn. Best of luck as you continue in your reffing career.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Greg
The ball must leave the penalty area on a goal kick for it to be in play. If the ball crosses the goal line inside the penalty area it is not in play and the kick is retaken.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The ball cannot be kicked into play if it is kicked out over the goal line, since to be in play it has to go onto the field outside of the penalty area. Therefore, a ball kicked out over the goal line between the goal post and the edge of the penalty area has never entered into play. The only possible restart is another goal kick.

It's actually very logical, if you think about it. It was a mistake, but not a huge one, and I'll bet you never make it again!

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The opposing team was correct (hey, it happens!). At the taking of a goal kick, the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area. This does not mean over the goal line because the area over the goal line is out of play. The ball has to be in play before it can go out of play. Ball was never put into play. retake the goal kick. (This is also true for any free kick leaving the penalty area)