Question Number: 27407

Kicks From The Penalty mark 5/7/2013

RE: competitive Under 14

Laurie of Naples, FL USA asks...

I have a question. My daughter plays U13 soccer. A recent game ended in penalty kicks. The coaches and kickers were on the field as the event occurred standing at the center circle. Our coach was crouched down and was signaling to the goalie whether she should go right or left. The goalie, asked on the side, said she had no clue this was occurring. Nonetheless, some of the parents from the other team saw our coach doing this and freaked out. Is it illegal for the coach to coach the goalie during penalty kicks? The referees did not make the coaches leave the field. Are the coaches allowed to be on the field? Very curious and looking to put this debate to rest.

Warm regards from Florida

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The Laws of the Game state that only players should be on the field for Kicks from the Penalty Mark (aka penalty kicks, aka shootout). If your league for whatever well-intentioned reason allows coaches onto the field, they have run into the Law of Unintended Consequences. Allow the coach on the field, and guess what he might do? Coach the players!

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee should have made the coaches leave the field and return to the technical area. From there, however, the coach may give instructions to the keeper.

IMO, the keeper has more important things to do during kicks from the penalty mark than listen to a coach who is guessing which way the kicker will go. But, coaching is for the coaches.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Laurie
This happens the world over at underage. I have seen referees allow coaches and substitutes join the players in the centre circle at kicks from the penalty mark at underage games. It is however contrary to the Laws of the Game.
I like Referee Voshol's Law of Unintended Consequences reference. I suspect that some referees allow it because
1. Not causing any harm or match control problems
2. Both sides avail of it so the teams don't have a problem
3. At underage very young players need support particularly if they miss a penalty.
4. If the kicks get beyond 5 the coach can agree more easily what player to send forward.
5. The mood of the game allows the referee to be more relaxed about being 'soft' on the detail
While these motives may have positive benefits there can also be negatives which include the spectators feeling that the law was not correctly implemented, the perception that one coach 'used' the concession to his team's advantage and arguments / debates about the tie break 'fairness'
As regards coaching the goalkeeper, the coach could do this from the technical area. Is it an advantage to do it from the centre circle? I don't think so and the goalkeeper has as Referee Wickham states more important things to do. Also coaches think that they are making a difference but the reality is that the player can be oblivious to any coaching. My experience as well is that at underage it is rarely the goalkeeper that is the difference but poor kicking, either wide or weakly at the goalkeeper that makes the difference.
So to answer the questions. Only players who were on the field of play at the final whistle should be in the centre circle and coaching of the goalkeeper is allowed from the technical area.
As an aside if I had my way there would be no kicks from the penalty mark at underage.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Simple answer: your coach should have been instructed to leave the field of play. End of story.