Question Number: 33578

Law 14 - The Penalty kick 8/15/2019

RE: Recreational Under 13

Jose hernandez of Duarte, Ca Usa asks...

1. Just Before a kick-off an opponent enters the circle.what would be the restart?

2. The ball is in play from a penalty kick when?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jose
1. If the encroachment has an effect on play it is a retake. If it has no effect with zero impact on the kicking team it can be deemed trifling and play continues..
2. The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves. Interestingly the ball cannot be kicked legally backwards away from goal. That is an offence punished by an indirect free kick.
In the past there was a conundrum in the wording of Law 14 that the ball had to be kicked forward to be put into play. It was questioned how could there be an offence when the ball was not in play as it did not go forward. The current wording is that the ball is in play when kicked and moved with backwards listed as an offence.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Jose,
1. Assuming the referee doesn't spot this before the kick-off and just tell the player to retreat before the kick is taken, this would be a retake - unless, as ref Wright says, the referee decides to see it as a trivial or dubious offence and just let play continue.

2. At a penalty kick, ''The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.''

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Jose,
1) The restart is simply a retake of the kick-off. The opponent could be cautioned, but usually this won't be necessary. Though if there's no impact, the referee could allow play to continue
2) When it is kicked and clearly moves (after the referee has blown the whistle to permit the kick)