Question Number: 16654

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 9/12/2007

RE: AYSO U10 girls Under 11

Bob of Mes, AZ USA asks...

Putting ball back in play. My question is in regard to putting the ball back into play by the keeper and the restrictions for ball placement.

If the attacking team attempts a goal and the ball goes past the goal line the keeper is authorized to put the ball back into play by: 1)throwing it to a player, 2) punting it to a player, and 3) placing the ball on the ground an kicking it to a player. In all three conditions the keeper MUST stay within the GOAL area and all opponents must be outside the penalty area. Is this correct?

My second question is when the attacking team attempt a goal and the keeper traps the ball by catching it. The keeper can then put the ball back into play by: 1)throwing it to a player, 2) punting it to a player, and 3) placing the ball on the ground an kicking it to a player. In all three of these conditions the keeper MUST stay within the PENALTY area and opponents are NOT required to be outside the penalty area. Is this correct?

I've taken the AYSO region ref course and read the FIFA Laws as well as watched some of the FIFA women's world cup soccer on TV. I'm a little confused about the placement of the ball back into play by the keeper and the GOAL area and PENALTY area. I want to make sure I coach my U19 girls correctly. Can you help?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

My experience with AYSO is limited, but it was my understanding that they use the Laws of the Game just like USSF and the rest of the world. Assuming that is correct, when the ball exits the field over the goal line last touched by an attacking player and it is NOT a goal, the restart is a goal kick. It cannot be a throw, it must be a kick. Throws by the goalkeeper are only possible when the ball is still in play, as in after a goalkeeper makes a save. It cannot be a punt, because this too requires that the ball still be in play, which it is not if it exited the field. A proper goal kick must be a kick from a stationary position on the ground. A goal kick is taken from anywhere within the goal area, including a position on the top of the goal area line, and it may be taken by any member of the defending team, including the goalkeeper. All opponents must be outside of the penalty area, but defenders can stand anywhere they want to. Hope that helps clear up the confusion you felt.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I can find nothing on AYSO's website about doing away with goal kicks for small-sided games. It is included in the AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.

On the USYS website, the U10 small-sided game says goal kicks conform with FIFA.

Saying that, our regional competitive (travel, select) league has this modification: "No goal kicks ? game is restarted with goalkeeper possession and goalkeeper can throw, kick, punt, or dribble the ball back into play."

This was part of a whole slew of Law changes that were originally disseminated about 3 years ago in Region 2. All but 2 of the 17 Laws had changes made; nearly half of them were thown out entirely. It appears that USYS has stepped back significantly from this extreme position, but most of the Law modifications remain in the league rules. At least they brought back throw-ins.