Question Number: 28745

Law 16 - Goal Kick 9/17/2014

RE: 6 High School

Luis Castanos of Cranston, RI United States asks...

When a defender kick the ball but does not leave the box area from a goal kick and the forward who was outside the box but realize that is a short kick and steals the ball and score a goal. is this a goal or must repeat the goal kick because the ball is not live till leaves the box

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Luis,

As indicated in NFHS Rule 16-1-3, if the ball is not kicked beyond the penalty area, the goal kick shall be re-kicked. In your example, the goal kick is to be repeated.

Also, please note NFHS Rule 16-1-2, that states: Players opposing the kicker shall remain outside the penalty area until the ball has cleared the penalty area. In your example, the opposing player went into the penalty area to get the ball. This defender should be warned to stay out of the penalty area until the ball clears the penalty area. If the defender does this again, he/she should be cautioned for unnecessary delay. (Rule 12-8-1f-2)

I hope this helps in your understanding of what must occur on a goal kick. I hope you have a successful season.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Luis,
in this case FIFA laws and high school match up nicely. The ball is NOT in play until it has completely left the penalty area. For an attacker to run into the PA to play that ball is delaying the restart of play as it must be taken again, it is a cautionable action. Retake the goal kick and warn or caution the culprit as the situation demands. In high school though, a cautioned player is replaced for brief time period to reconsider their actions.

ANY defending free kick taken from within their own PA must always clear the PA before it is in play! Defenders must still withdraw the mandatory ten yards and while a quick kick might be allowed if the opponent's were inside the PA a bad idea at any time and certainly not on a goal kick, they can not interfere/touch the ball legally until the ball has travelled completely outside the PA into the field of play.

IF the opponents react and touch or get hit with the ball inside the PA even after it was quickly kicked, it still must be retaken .
If the ball had travelled outside the PA and the opponent reacted or was hit with the ball within the ten yards AFTER the quick kick was taken, then it is play on!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee should stop play as soon as the ball is touched by another player before it leaves the penalty area. The ball is not in play on a goal kick until it leaves the penalty area and enters the field of play. No goal can be scored, and the goal kick should be retaken.

High school (NFHS) rules are the same as the Laws of the Game on this issue.