Question Number: 28328

Law 16 - Goal Kick 4/11/2014

RE: travel competitive Under 12

janet of massapequa, NY usa asks...

The goal kick was being kicked by the middle defender. The defender placed the ball down with her hands in the appropriate spot, stood up, stepped back, then stepped forward and adjusted the ball with her foot. Then she stepped back and seconds later made the kick. This occurred every time, she made a goal kick. My question is this: is the ball live once she adjusted the ball with her foot? Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No.

On any free kick, some latitude is given to the player to adjust the ball with the foot. The ball is not in play until it it is kicked (in the opinion of the referee) and moves.

But, on a goal kick, there is one additional requirement. The ball is not in play until is is (1) kicked, (2) moves, and (3) the ball leaves the penalty area. If the ball is touched again before it leaves the penalty area, the goal kick is retaken.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Janet
The simple answer is no. Adjusting the ball with the foot is not a kick and the ball is only in play when it is kicked and moved.
As Referee Wickham mentions there is also an additional requirement on a goal kick in that the ball must leave the penalty area to be in play. So the ball is not 'live' to use your term until it crosses the penalty area line. It is a retake in all circumstances when the ball does not leave the penalty area or it is touched inside the area for a 2nd time.
Now most players that reposition the ball do so with their hands. Ryan Giggs of Manchester United never touches the ball with his hands to position the ball at a free kick or corner kick. He uses his foot to do so which is perfectly acceptable. Probably little routines / habits that players develop over the years and allowed for in the Laws.