Question Number: 26846

Law 16 - Goal Kick 9/26/2012

RE: Rec,Select and adult Adult

Tony Ravenhill of vancouver, B.C. Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26815

There is a lot of confusion as to the second touch by the player taking the goal kick. The confusion is 'If the ball is not in play until it leaves the penalty area how can the kicker be penalized if he/she touches the ball inside the penalty area.' When I explain this rule to youth referees I find it helpful for their understanding if I tell them it is like having two starts of play one for the goal kick taker and one for the rest of the players. Once the goal kick taker touches the ball and it moves the ball is in play for him even if it doesn't leave the penalty area but the ball is not in play for the rest of the players on the field until it leaves the penalty area. If you explain the goal kick to young referees in this manner they will be able to work out the second touch in the penalty area and why the differance for the keeper taking the kick and a defender taking the kick. Because the keeper is allowed to use his hands in the penalty area the second touch by foot or hand is IDFK but if the defender uses his hands it is a PENALTY KICK not an IDFK as he is not allowed to use his hands in the penalty area, SO even if the wind blows the ball back into the penalty area or it hits the referee and rebounds back into the penalty area the goal kick taker would still not be allowed to touch the ball a second time because it had not touched another player and they would still be guilty of a second touch. I hope I have helped some of your readers like you all have helped me on so many questions. I look forward to your responce. Cheers Tony

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

I'm afraid that's not entirely correct Tony, and the confusion seems to be stemming from an overcomplication of the issue.

If a player takes a goal kick, or a defensive free kick inside the penalty area, and any player touches the ball before it leaves the PA, it's a retake. It doesn't matter if it's the kicker or a second player, it doesn't matter if it's the keeper or not, it doesn't matter if it's touched by hands or feet. If it has not left the PA, then it's a retake.

Once it leaves the PA, then it doesn't matter if it blows back into the PA or not - if it's the kicker who touches the ball, then it's an IFK (unless it's deliberate handling). The fact that it may have re-entered the PA is only relevant if the kicker (whether he's a normal player or GK) touched the ball with his hands. Non-GK means it would be a PK, GK means IFK. Outside the PA, everything normal applies.

So the ONLY difference between the keeper taking the kick and any other player taking the kick occurs in the incredibly unlikely scenario of the kicker deliberately handling the ball after it's left the PA then blown back into the PA.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tony
It really is simple and your understanding is not correct. The ball is not in play until it has left the penalty area on any kicked restart by the defending team. So an offence, penal or technical, cannot be committed by any player on both teams until the ball is in play which in the case of a goal kick or free kick when the ball has not left the penalty area. That includes a defender who is taking a goal kick. Misconduct can be committed but the restart does not change as the ball is not in play.
So there can't be a double touch infringement including handling inside the penalty area where the ball has not left the penalty area no matter who takes the restart. An example would be that a defender miskicks the ball 6 yards and he then picks up the ball inside the penalty area. That is not an offence and the goal kick is retaken as the ball was not in play. The same player kicks the ball outside the penalty area and then he kicks it again it is an IDFK for a double touch infringement and if he touches it with his hand/s the more serious offence of deliberate handling is punished with a direct free kick. The difference is that once the ball crosses the penalty area line it is in play.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No. The ball is not in play until the ball leaves the penalty area. If the original kicker touches the ball a second time before it leaves the PA, the kick should be retaken. It is not a double touch infringement.

A double touch infringement requires that the second touch occur after the ball leaves the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

After such kind words, I hate having to point out that what you say is incorrect.

At the taking of a goal kick (or ANY free kick leaving the penalty area), the ball is in play only until it has left the penalty area. Period. Doesn't matter who takes it. That's the Law and it's straightforward and simple.

Furthermore, A DFK inside the penalty area may never be awarded against ANYONE for a handling violation. If it's by a field player it's a penalty kick, if by the keeper, it's an IDFK. Always.

Third, a PK may NEVER be awarded for any keeper handling violation. Why? Because if outside his penalty area it's a DFK. If inside its an IDFK.

What you are telling youth referees is not only wrong, it's bound to confuse them. There can be no "second touch" until the ball has left the PA. If the ball is touched by any player, including the taker, before it leaves the PA, a retake must be ordered.

The ball may leave and re=enter the PA having never touched another player. It could happen by a strong gust of wind, or it could bounce off the referee (had it happen. Pretty embarrassing). Then if the taker touches the ball again, it's a second touch and whether or not the taker was the keeper or a field player, the restart may be different