Question Number: 26874

Law 16 - Goal Kick 10/3/2012

RE: AYSO Intermediate Under 14

Joseph Bernier of Fontana, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25123

On a Goal Kick does the ball have to leave the penatly area going forward or is the goalie/kicker able to kick the ball to the sides of the penalty area to a teammate? It is my understanding that the ball must go forward and cross the penatly area 18 yard line before the ball is in play. Please help confirm this for me. Thank you

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The ball is in play when it leaves the penalty area and enters the field of play in any direction. The only restarts where the ball must go forward are penalty kicks and kickoffs.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The only times the ball must go forwards at a restart is at the kick off or a penalty kick. It's quite possible for the ball to go sideways and backwards at a goal kick, if a player outside the PA is standing near the goal line. This is fine.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Joseph
There are only two restart kicks in the game where the ball must go forward which are a kick off and a penalty kick. All other kicks can be in any direction including the goal kick. The only requirement for the goal kick is that the ball must exit the penalty area to be in play.
So the goalkeeper could place the ball on the 6 yard line and kick the ball backwards towards the corner flag and once it leave the penalty area it is in play.