Question Number: 16334

Law 13 - Free Kicks 8/16/2007

RE: Rec Under 10

T Ferrell of Timberlake, NC USA asks...

If the goalie is given the ball by the ref for a goal kick, and she kicks the ball before being given the signal (in this case a whistle), but then the ref blows the whistle after the ball is kicked... is the ball in play?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Why would the referee give the ball to the goalkeeper? She or her teammate should be chasing down the balls that go behind the endline, not the referee.

A signal is not required for a goal kick, unless a substitution is being made at the same time. Player places ball properly, and she's free to go.

If the ref blew the whistle while the ball was in play, then he has effectively stopped play inadvertently. Play must now be restarted with a dropped ball.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Usually on a goal kick a signal is NOT needed unless there was a substitution or the referee stopped play for some reason - in which case signal is now needed. If a signal was requiered and the ball was kickced before the signal, then the referee needs to order a rekick as the ball was not put in play properly.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

A signal is not needed but let's assume this referee wanted to give one. First, the ball is not in play until it leaves the penalty area. Second, the instant the referee blew his whistle after she kicked the ball, the ball was dead