Question Number: 31655

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/24/2017

Paul D Napier of Vacaville, CA United States asks...

Can a GK yell at a kicker (KICK IT TO THE RIGHT!) while taking a kick from the mark. Also the GK must be standing on the goal line before the kick is taken.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Paul
No a goalkeeper cannot shout to distract a kicker at a penalty kick. If the kick is missed it is retaken and the goalkeeper is cautioned for unsporting behaviour.
Also yes a goalkeeeper must be on the goal line until the ball is kicked. Most GKs make a movement just before the kick and as long as the encroachment is not blatant many referees see it as insignificant and allow the kick to proceed.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Paul,
In high school games, the goalkeeper in your situation would be cautioned for deliberate verbal tactics. If the goal is scored, the game would be restarted with a kick-off. If the goal is not scored, the kick would be retaken. In either case, the goalkeeper would have to leave the game until the next legal opportunity to substitute.
As to the second part of your question, NFHS Rule 14-1-3 indicates that: lateral movement is permitted but the goalkeeper is not to come off the line by stepping or lunging forward until the ball is in play. To be in play, the ball must be moved forward. If the keeper comes off the line before the ball is in play, a re-kick is given unless a goal is scored. Unlike other levels of play, the goalkeeper coming off the line too soon is considered significant and should be penalized.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Paul,
It is an offence if a player ''verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart.'' So if the referee judges that a goalkeeper is guilty of this at a penalty, then according to Law 14:

''if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded
if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken; the goalkeeper is cautioned if responsible for the offence''

The same provisions should apply if the goalkeeper leaves the line before the kick is taken, although as Ref McHugh says, an insignificant amount of movement (and which may also be difficult to detect without a slow-motion replay) is often overlooked.