Question Number: 15795

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 6/14/2007

RE: Gr 8 Under 11

Peggy Dokka-Thorson of Shakopee, MN US asks...

I've been asked if a goal should be allowed or not when a keeper has released the ball (punted it) and it goes directly into the opponent's goal without any other player touching it. My first reaction is that it WOULD count as a goal, but I haven't been able to find supporting documentation within the Laws.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes it should. You have not been able to find supporting documentation within the Laws because no where does it say that it would not count. Therfor, that means that it would count as a goal.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Why WOULDN'T it count? The ball is in active play so it counts. Also, it would count from any direct free kick, goal kick, corner kick or kick off. Only time it wouldn't is on a throw-in or indirect free kick wherein the ball has to touch a second player before it goes into the net in order to be counted as a goal.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The ball is in play (meaning this is NOT an indirect free kick) so the goalkeeper may use whatever means he chooses to propell the ball legally. If that action results in the ball going directly into the opponent's goal so that all of the requirements of law 10 have been met then you count the goal.

The reason the laws don't mention it is because they should not have to explain why legal things are legal - they are there to explain when things aren't legal and how to deal with those situations.

So in this case it's a good goal.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 16411