Question Number: 27638

Law 16 - Goal Kick 8/4/2013

RE: school Under 10

malcolm humphrey of adelaide, south australia australia asks...

Can a goal be scored from a goal kick if not touched by any other player than the player taking the goal kick

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Malcolm
Yes a goal can be scored directly from a goal kick but only in the opposing goal. At one time it was not possible but all that changed in 1997. A goal can also now be scored directly from a kick off.
Just be aware though that some small sided games at underage have unique Laws such as goal kicks, punts, etc due to the size of the playing area.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Back in 1997 when goal kicks (and kickoffs too) were made direct kicks, there was an online article about a goalkeeper from Scotland who scored from a goal kick. The best part of the story was his quote about liking having moved from defender to goalkeeper - he scored more!

However, I see that you might be writing about a youth league game. Some youth rules state that all kicks are indirect - that would include the goal kicks, corner kicks and kickoffs as well as kicks following fouls. The theory is that they don't want lucky goals scored from restarts.

Other youth leagues make all kicks direct, under the theory that kids don't understand what an indirect free kick is.