Question Number: 31045

Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play 11/23/2016

RE: rec Under 19

pete of floral park, ny usa asks...

Hi Refs,

a couple of questions can a player score directly from a kick off or does it have to be touched by a teammate before a shot on goal is taken.Q2 forward is one on one with goalkeeper about 10 yards outside keepers penalty area forward tries to kick ball past keeper the keeper goes to ground and makes contact with ball with his hands in the laws of the game that's dogso what should the punishment be for the keeper. there were no defenders anywhere near the play when it happened.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Pete
Yes a goal can be scored directly on the opponents from the kick off. Many many years ago it was not possible yet that all changed in 1997 when it was allowed.
On the denying a goal or goal scoring opportunity the referee takes into account 4 factors which are referred to as the 4Ds.
DISTANCE to goal
The distance between the offence and the goal must be considered. The closer to goal, the increased likelihood of the existence of a goal scoring opportunity.
DISTANCE to ball
Attackers who have clear possession of the ball are more likely to have an obvious goal scoring opportunity. However, referees must feel the situation and consider that the Laws of the Game also require the referee to evaluate the *likelihood of keeping or gaining possession of the ball.*
DEFENDER position/location and number
The location of and number of defenders involved in the scoring opportunity is an important factor. The closer the defender(s) are to the opponent with the ball, the increased opportunity they have to prevent a scoring opportunity. Additionally, the position or location of these defenders is an important component. A defender may be in front of the ball, yet he may be positioned such that he cannot prevent the scoring opportunity. In this case, the referee may decide that this defender has no influence on the potential outcome and still consider an obvious goal scoring opportunity exists.
DIRECTION of play
The direction the attacker is taking toward the goal must be considered. Attackers in the center of the field moving directly to goal have a bet When all 4 conditions are present the referee may send off the player for a DOGSO.
As described by you it is highly likely that all four conditions were met and a goal scoring opportunity was denied so the GK is sent off and the restart is a direct free kick from where the deliberate handling occured.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Pete,
The Laws of the Game tell us that, ''a goal may be scored directly against the opponents from the kick-off'' - so no, it does not have to be touched by a team mate first. Please note that a goal cannot be scored against the player's own team in this way.

The second scenario does sound like a DOGSO offence and if the referee decides that it is, the keeper should be sent off and play restarted with a direct free kick from the location of the offence.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Pete,
as my esteemed coleagues stated you can score directly off a kick off and it has been achieved in a few matches lol In the 2nd video same guy did it TWICE! lol

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=soccer+video+goal+scored+off+a+kick+off&view=detail&mid=39859040D18520C3F73539859040D18520C3F735&FORM=VIRE

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=soccer+video+goal+scored+off+a+kick+off&view=detail&mid=C522793C59682A569AACC522793C59682A569AAC&FORM=VIRE


Your 2nd query is a DFK offence by the keeper as he is deliberately handling the ball outside his own PA where he is considered as just 1 of 11 players and as such subject to the DOGSO criterion if indeed the opponent was denied the red card would be shown and the keeper send off reducing his team by a player to ten. A new keeper would have to be chosen from someone on the field or if the team still had substitution options, someone on the field would have to be substituted to make way for a new keeper. The restart occurs from where the ball was deliberately handled.
Cheers