Question Number: 31385

Law 16 - The Goal Kick 3/24/2017

RE: Competetive Adult

Matt of Salt Lake City, UT USA asks...

During a goal kick, the kicker stumbles as he approaches the ball, and his foot strikes the ball and it begins to roll forward. Although it seems clear that the ball will not leave the penalty are before its momentum is spent, the kicker runs forward and kicks the ball a second time before it leaves the penalty area. What is the proper restart?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Another goal kick. The first one was not properly completed, because it didn't leave the penalty area before it was touched a second time. The ball was never in play.

The fact that the kicker's actions would result in an indirect free kick if the ball had left the PA is immaterial. The ball didn't leave, so the kick must be retaken.

If it looks like timewasting, then deal with that.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Matt
The ball must leave the penalty area before it can be legally played by any player. If it does not leave the penalty area and the kicker plays it for a second time the restart is a retake as the ball was not in play.
Interestingly had the ball made it out of the penalty area then the second touch would be penalised by an IDFK from where the second touch offence took place. Offences can only happen when the ball is IN PLAY.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Matt,
In this situation, the only possible decision is a retake of the goal kick. I'm not even sure I would actually classify this as a restart. A restart implies (to my mind at least) that the ball is in play and then, after play is stopped for an offence, there is a restart of play. However in this case the ball was never in play and no offence has been committed.