Question Number: 30040

Law 16 - Goal Kick 1/23/2016

RE: fan Adult

john owen of Reading, Berkshire United Kingdom asks...

when was goal kicks allowed to be taken either side of the goal? when I played in goal you took the goal kick the side where the ball went out of play. not like a corner where you take it from the side it went out.
thank you 1

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I believe this was before the big rewrite and condensation of the Laws in 1996. I know I never had to ref with the goal kick being taken from a specific side and I don't recall my kids playing under that ruling either. But it wasn't so far before that, because I was aware that there had been a change. So maybe sometime in the late 1980's or early 1990's.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
Yes that was part of the Laws at one time. A goal kick had to be taken from the side nearest to where it left the field of play. In 1996 there was a major rewrite of the Laws. Subtle changes were made that were seen to be not significant such as the position if the goal kick. So that is no longer part of the Laws and the kick can be taken from anywhere inside the goal area.
Unfortunately some goalkeepers do exploit this law unfairly such as in using up time by going to the far side on a goal kick. If the GK has taken every or most kicks from one side then I will cut him some slack when he goes to that again. Not so if it is just a time wasting ploy.

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