Question Number: 28244

Law 16 - Goal Kick 3/9/2014

RE: AYSO GU10 Under 10

Claude of Redondo Beach, CA USA asks...

Our team was setting up for a goal kick. Our goalie placed the ball on one corner of the goal box, but then decided to move the ball to the opposite corner. The center ref told her that she couldn't move the ball once it had been placed. Is this correct? I always thought that the game restarts when the ball is kicked out of the penalty box, and that the ref might caution a goalie on this if it delays the game. We were behind in the game, so delaying the game was not our desire or in our best interest.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Claude,

You are correct about when the ball is in play, but the concern is delaying that restart. By putting the ball down, setting up for the kick, then moving it to the other side the player is delaying the restart of play. It sounds like the referee has taken the age into consideration and offered some advice for the player, but the referee is correct that players should be discouraged from putting the ball down on one side then changing sides. It's unnecessary and it does delay play.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Claude
Placement of the ball inside the goal area is at the discretion of the goalkeeper and as you say the ball is not in play until it leaves the penalty area.
For those around long enough we can recall when it had to be placed on the side of the goal area nearest to where it went out of play. That all changed in 1992 when the Law 16 was amended to what we have today
Now if the action is done to delay the restart of play the referee is entitled to caution for that. The restart though does not change.
Now at Under 10 some competition organisers make unique competition rules about restarts. Some of these rules that I have seen allow for kick in, punts not crossing the half way line, no pressing on the goalkeeper's restart etc. Perhaps there is a competition rule on goal kicks to ensure that the game starts quickly?
Also in NF High School games it is not allowed to move the ball once spotted at a goal kick. It could happen that a referee believes that the same applies across all codes which is not the case.
Best coaching advice is for the player not to change her mind once the ball is placed for the kick. It does not arise then in any circumstances.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The referee can caution for delaying the restart of play. Sounds like your referee wanted to prevent delays on goal kicks during the game. I believe this was a preventive measure that he took.