Question Number: 25553

Law 16 - Goal Kick 10/4/2011

RE: ayso u-10 region 74 Under 11

william ucker of Portage, michian united states asks...

Can a defender kick the goal kick?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi William
Yes any player may take a goal kick. Only opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball leaves the penalty area

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Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Sure. So can a winger, center forward, left midfielder ... any team member.

The only position mentioned in the Laws of the Game is the goalkeeper. And the rights and duties of the keeper are not many:
-- must wear the funny shirt
-- can handle the ball in the penalty area (except in a few situations)
-- there must be a goalkeeper
-- is traditionally allowed to have additional equipment, such as gloves or kneepads
And that's about it.

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Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. The reason the keeper does it in professional matches is tactical, not a requirement of the laws of the game. With young players, finding someone who can kick the ball more than 12 yards is sometimes tricky.

What the referee will be concerned at this level is delay while everyone asks the coach who can take the goal kick. The game is more fun when the ball is in play.

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