Question Number: 14687

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 1/10/2007

RE: rec Under 12

Max of Northridge, ca usa asks...

If the defending team kicks the ball into their own goal, does this score a goal for the attacking team?

Please let me know, my friends want to know.

Thank you,

Max

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Yes it does result in a goal, it is called an own goal.

Except (and there's always an except, isn't there?) in some specific instances:

If it was an indirect free kick or a throw-in, no goal can be scored for either side.

If it was a direct free kick, penalty kick, kickoff, goal kick or corner kick, no goal can be scored against the team taking the restart (no own goal). Admittedly a couple of those would be pretty hard to accomplish, but nonetheless they're mentioned in the Laws.

So how do we restart? The ball went across the team's own goal line, last touched by them, and no goal was scored. So the restart is a corner kick for the opponents. Except (again!) if the ball was never properly in play, in which case the restart is a redo of the original restart.

Can you think of a reason when the ball had been kicked but is not in play?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes it does. Unless it is on a FREE KICK in which case it would a corner kick for the opponents. Also on a corner kick or goal kick or throwin, a team caanot score directly against themselves. If during dynamic play, its a GOOD GOAL.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Depends. If the ball was out of play, then, no, a team may not score on itself diectly from any restart. if ball in play, than yes, it's a valid goal.

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

If the ball was already in play and a team manages to put the ball over their own goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar, then it is a goal scored for the opponents. IF a player kicks the ball over their own goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar, DIRECTLY from a free kick then correct restart is a corner kick (no goal can be scored directly from a free kick into your own goal).