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Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


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Question Number: 28331

Law 16 - Goal Kick 4/12/2014

RE: Under 11

Bob of Louisville, Kentucky USA asks...

Law 16 says that all opponents must remain outside the penalty area on a goal kick, but what about defensive players? On the last game I did, I had 4 defensive players in the penalty area on a goal kick?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The law does not mention defensive players. Therefore, all 11 defensive players can remain inside the PA if they choose. Naturally, they cannot touch the ball while it's in the PA.

For youth games in particular, teams sometimes like to keep defenders in the PA to protect the goal in case the goal kick goes straight to an opponent. This is allowed.



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Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
The restriction in Law 16 only applies to attacking players. The defending team can have as many players inside the penalty area as it wishes. The ball though is not in play until it leaves the penalty area.
If you think about it how could a defender other than the goalkeeper take a goal kick if he was not allowed inside the penalty area?



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