Question Number: 17897

Law 14 - Penalty kick 11/12/2007

RE: rec Under 10

Linda Roberts of Suisun , CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17688

A penalty kick was blocked by the goalie, rebounded and was then kicked into the goal box by another attacking player (not the PK kicker).
1) at what point can another attacker begin to move into the penalty area (once the kick is taken, or when the ball rebounded off the goalie, etc)
2) where should the referee (me) stand and where should I be looking?
When the kick was taken, I was focusing on whether the ball would cross the endline (no ARs, just parents with flags). I don't think anyone else entered the penalty area until after the ball touched the goalkeeper, but my focus wasn't upon the rest of the team. Thank you for your advice.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Hello Linda, a penalty kick is in play when it is kicked and moved forward. From there forward players are no longer restricted as to where they must be. The kicker must not touch the ball until it touches another player. So, what does a solo referee or one with club linesmen need to watch for first?

I tend to believe that would be the ball over the goal line, that's most important. Secondly, she needs to be aware of the keeper moving unfairly in an attempt to gain some advantage. All the rest of the goings on become less important. 8 and 9 year-olds busting 10 yards and entering the penalty area early just isn't going to be all that huge a factor; one would think the kicker stopping her movement and doing too much to put off the keeper would be a larger concern than encroachment.

There, that's what we need to watch. Now the where to watch from comes to mind. I would try to be where I can see everything needed in the order of importance. Over the line and moving forward means on the goal line. The kicker mucking about makes me want to be able to see what she is doing. The question is: can my peripheral vision tend to the kicker while I am very close to the goal line? Next question: am I mobile enough to take a very deep position and still recover to judge a quick counter attack at the other end of the park? That's the real question forcing where we stand, isn't it?

Regards, C.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Linda, as soon as the kicker kicks the ball, the other players can move toward the ball. As for where you stand, I'd check out the USSF Guide to Procedures. It has some really good stuff in it to help you. Most referees stand about even with the penalty spot, or maybe a shade closer to the goal line, on the side away from where the AR would be if you had one, and at least 8 to 12 yards away from the kicker. This should give you a wide enough angle to keep everything in view that needs to be seen, out of the way of any play which might continue if the kick is saved, and in position to take off with the players if the ball is cleared downfield. A smart referee is always thinking about where the play might go next so they are positioned to go there as efficiently as possible.