Question Number: 25628

Kicks From The Penalty mark 10/18/2011

RE: Rec,select,competive Adult

Rodney Jones of Petaluma, California US asks...

While doing a recent tournament which I was an AR We went to kicks from the penalty mark after all overtime periods. I said to the center that keeprs can not bE switched after kicks have started. The center and sEcond AR looked at me funny. Need to find out if I was correct or not. FIFA states keeper can be switched at any time with an available player or substitute. I think I saw that the keekper can not be changed unless injured and unable to continue. Your help is greatly appeciated

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

You're close.

The keeper can be substituted - that is, replaced by somebody not on the field - only if he's injured and unable to continue, and only if that team has unused, valid substitutes remaining. I suspect this is what you've read, and where the confusion lies.

However, the keeper may, at any time, switch for any other on-field player. That team can even have a different keeper for each kick if they really desire, but don't forget to ensure that all players fully comply with Law 4 at all times - includin making sure the keeper is wearing a distinguishing jersey.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rodney
Players on the field of play can take over the goalkeepering duties at any time provided it is done at a stoppage in play and the referee is informed. That includes kicks from the penalty mark. Sometimes at underage this happens as perhaps the regular goalkeeper has been playing outfield so the team is allowed to make that change.
Now when Kicks from the Penalty Mark begin the only substitution that can be allowed is that of a goalkeeper who is injured and it is done on the basis that the team has not used all its quota of substitutions.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The word 'switch' will get you in trouble.

All of the players eligible to take the kick may act as keeper, and any of those players may exchange roles with the keeper during the kicks phase.

A substitute may not enter for the keeper unless the keeper is injured.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Rodney, all players on the field are allowed to be goalies provided it is done properly i.e. the change (switch) is made with ref's knowledge and in stoppage in play. The ref must allow such a change to take place when done appropriately.
We are not talking substitutions here; that's another ball of wax. But the players on the field can change being goalies on every single kick, even a retake if they want to. The referee MUST allow the change to be made.