Question Number: 15103

Law 3 - Number of Players 4/2/2007

RE: School Under 14

Brian Myers of Prescott, AZ USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 1965

I am curious if I am allowed to let my goalie come up and take penalty kicks??!!

My goalie easily has the strongest leg on the team, and is a crack-shot on penalty kicks. However I was recently told by an opposing coach that using the goalie in a PK situation was not allowed. I suspect that the other coach may have stretched the truth a bit. I know it is not common for the goalie to take the PK's, but is he allowed to do so??

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Your opposing coach was 100% incorrect. If you want to leave your goal only attended by a field player and ket your keeper take a PK, have at it!

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Brian,

The opposing coach may have heard about your goalkeepers famous leg... so he wants you to believe that he may not take a penalty kick.

He is keeping your keepers leg out of the play by pulling yours! Your keeper is allowed to take a penalty kick - why? Because he is one of your teams 11 players. That's why.

Now of course, if the ball were to rebound from the post or be saved, the only player you have who may defend your goal with his hands will be 85 yards away from his proper position with the ball in play... so from a coaching standpoint I would be very sure that your keeper will either score or kick it out of play - but that's not about refereeing. I'll leave the coaching decisions up to you!

Have fun.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Brian,
Yes a keeper can take a pk. Opposing coach blowing smoke up your wahzoo! The tactical point, if the pk is missed the keeper simply has a long way to get back on the counter attack before he can regain that priviledge of using his hands on the ball! Cheers