Question Number: 25547

Law 16 - Goal Kick 10/3/2011

RE: 7 Adult

Mick Green of Margate, Kent UK asks...

Watching an under 13 girls game, the referee refused to allow a defender to stand in the penalty area whilst the keeper took a goal kick. I told him he was wrong as defenders can take goal kicks and the keeper doesn't need to leave the area! I was wondering how many defensive players are allowed in the area for a goal kick ? It seems to me that there is no limit and you can have all 11 defensive players if you wish.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mick
Yes the referee is wrong here. Only opponents have to leave the penalty area and even on that a referee can allow a quick goal kick to be taken with attackers inside the penalty area provided the ball leaves the penalty area nd the kick is not interfered with. The defending team can have all 11 players inside the penalty area if it so wished.
If the GK can't take a goal kick how did he propse to allow a defender to take the kick!!

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee seems to applied the rule applicable to the opponents: on any free kick for the defense inside their own penalty area, no opponent may be inside the penalty area.

All of the defenders may be inside the penalty area on a goal kick (unwise, but lawful). After the ball is put into play, no one may touch the ball until the ball leaves the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

On ANY kick leaving the penalty area, including goal kicks, all the defenders are allowed to remain inside the penalty area. Only opponents must leave the penalty area. Of course, if the ball touches any of the players before it leaves the penalty area, the kick must be retaken.