Question Number: 16201

Law 14 - Penalty kick 8/4/2007

RE: - Under 14

jasmine of melbourne, victoria australia asks...

in the taking of a penalty the goalkeeper can move as soon as the attacking player begins to run true or false?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

True - the goalkeeper can move laterally even before the kicker moves.

False - the goalkeeper must stay on the line until the ball is kicked.

Now what was the question?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the field and standing up UNTIL the ball is KICKED. That is the word of the Law.

Lateral movement is permitted, however (provided the statement above is still adhered to.)

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

True and False. He can move on his line laterally in each direction before the kicker starts his run so may also do this after the kicker starts his run. He may NOT move off his line until the ball has been kicked. That's what the Laws of the Game state. However, if you've watched soccer on television you will note that oftentimes the keeper comes off his line early and no whistle. This is because Law 5 gives the referee the power to ignore any violations of the LOTG that he/she deems trifling. AT upper levels of play it would seem that the keeper coming off a step or two early is viewed as trifling.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If by move, you mean forward off his line, then, NO, he can't. If you simply meant 'move' as in sideways (laterally) or up and down or waving his arms, then yes, he can do those things. As was noted in the other responses, he isn't supposed to move forward off the goal line until the ball is kicked. Whether he is far enough off the line to go beyond a trifling infraction or not is always up to the judgment of the referee. If the early movement prevents a goal, it is hard to argue trifling, but if it skies over the goal, it didn't matter a whit - assuming the keeper wasn't out so far he threw the kicker off, in which case we start over with another kick. Wow, that was a long sentence!