Question Number: 29507

Law 16 - Goal Kick 6/29/2015

RE: Rec Adult

Jerry Slota of shelby , mi USA asks...

is there a reason to put the ball on the six yard line except for a goal kick?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jerry,
The 6 yard GOAL area has specific criteria attached to it depending on whether a defensive free kick is being awarded or an attacking INDFK (indirect free kick) There is NO attacking DFK (direct free kick) possible as any attacking DFK occurs inside the PA (penalty area which includes the goal area) is a penalty kick.

The attacking INDFK is the ONLY free kick that is required in law to occur on the 6 yard goal line. Aside from the attacking indfk a drop ball restart applies the same criteria.
There is what is known as the special circumstances within the goal area when an attacking INDFK offence or a drop ball restart occurs within the goal area the ball is repositioned on the 6 yard goal area line that parallels the goal line, brought straight back from the point of the infraction. In such cases where there is less then 10yards from the point of the INDFK the defensive opposition has the right to line up along the actual goal line between the posts and under the crossbar.

ANY outgoing defensive free kick can occur ANYWHERE within the goal area no matter where in the goal area the offence occurred, it is totally up to the kicker. Be it a GOAL KICK or a DFK or an INDFK the ball is most often placed on the 6 yard corner as the furthest point outward as a matter of simple choice.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi jerry
At one time many years ago the goal area had a purpose which was to prevent the goalkeeper from being charged inside that area. Once outside the goal area the goalkeeper could be legally charged. Not the case any longer
Its role now is to limit the area from which a goal kick or a defending team free kick awarded inside the area can be taken from. In addition where a dropped ball is to be taken for a stoppage inside the goal area the ball is dropped on the 6 yard line plus any attacking indirect free kick for an offence inside the goal area must be taken on the 6 yard line directly opposite the point of the stoppage.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Goal kicks can be taken at any spot within the goal area.

Here are some other examples:

On free kicks that are indirect that are inside the goal area for the attacking team. Spot is at the point on top of the goal area parallel to the foul.

Any free kick that resulted from a foul inside the goal area for the defending team can be taken anywhere inside the goal area.

Drop balls that occur when the ball was in the goal area are dropped on the 6 yard line at the point parallel to the spot as well.