Question Number: 26653

Law 16 - Goal Kick 8/19/2012

RE: local Under 15

Nippy of manchester, england asks...

When the opposition keeper is taking a goal kick from the 6 yard line. Can I be inside the box 2 yards as I would be the 10 yards away from the dead ball as I would be from a corner or free kick?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

For goal kicks (Law 16) or for any free kicks taken inside the penalty area (Law 13), all opponents must leave the penalty area. The ball is not in play until it moves beyond the penalty area into the rest of the field.

So no, you can't stand 2 yards inside the penalty area at a goal kick.

For free kicks (not goal kicks) taken less than 10 yards from the edge of the penalty area, you must also observe the 10-yard distance.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No. Law 16 requires that the opponent stay outside the penalty area until the ball leaves the penalty area. The same requirement exists in Law 13 for all free kicks by the defending team inside their penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
All opponents must be outside the penalty area for a goal kick and they may not enter the goal area until the ball is in play. the ball is in play when it has left the penalty area on all kicked restarts inside the penalty area including free kicks.
On a quick goal kick the referee may allow the kick to proceed without all the opponents having left the penalty area. However if any player was to touch the ball inside the penalty area the kick would be retaken.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. On ANY kick coming out of the penalty area all opponents must be 10 yards away AND also outside of the penalty area