Question Number: 29083

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 1/4/2015

RE: ameture College

Alan of ernakulam, kerala India asks...

In a 7s football match with offside rule,, if a GK takes a shot from D box after the balls goes out, the taken shot by GK gone to opponents net without the touch of any player,, would it be a goal.??? We will be very thankfull if we have an answer.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alan
Without a specific competition rule to say otherwise the goal is good. A goal can also be scored directly from a goal kick but only against opponents
Now my experience of small sided games on very short fields of play the Laws can be modified to prevent this. In a particular League that I officiate on the organisers have a competition rule that the goalkeeper may not kick or throw the ball beyond half way. If that happens it is an IDFK from where the ball landed. That is to encourage very young players to play the ball rather than a kicking fest from goal to goal by goalkeepers.
If a goal was ruled out in a game there is every chance that such a rule exists. I would also point out that in Futsal a goal cannot be scored directly from a goal clearance by the goalkeeper nor from a kick in nor from a kick off. That highlights how the normal rules can be / are amended to take account of the size of fields etc.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Alan,

It doesn't seem like offside is relevant here - that would only be relevant if the ball is touched by a second player in an offside position.

It sounds like it was from a goal kick. For regular 11-a-side games a goal can be scored from a goal kick, but there may be a different rule for your game. I'd expect that a goal can't be scored directly from such a kick, but I don't know what rules you played under.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Alan,
in most small sided games with reduced field sizes there are often ROC = rules of competition, that spell out the myriad of changes to the LOTG as they reflect the REALITY of distance. On a regulation 11 aside field it is possible to score directly from a goal kick or any direct free kick taken from inside an opposing goal or penalty area. I suspect the ROC in small sided matches would not permit such a goal. As pointed out in Futsal a goal cannot be scored directly from a goal clearance by the goalkeeper . Other ideas like the indfk for balls cleared over the mid line are reflective of the rational to improve ground play so when the switch to outdoors occurs it will help there as well. Small sided soccer should improve ball dribbling skills and the regulations reflect this
Cheers