Question Number: 18546

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 3/15/2008

RE: LIJSL Travel Under 11

Jim Quinn of Amityville, NY United States asks...

While ball was in play, player took shot on goal which hit the post and rebounded back to same player who kicked it again and scored. Opposing coach argued that another player had to touch the rebound before same player could kick it. Referee ruled it a score and explained that the rebound rule is only for penalty kicks. What is the rule? Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The rule is pretty close to what the referee stated. It applies to all free kicks: direct, indirect or penalty kicks. The ball must touch another player, of either team, before the kicker can touch it again. Since the goalpost is not a player, a free kick that rebounds directly to the player that took the kick cannot be touched by him.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This, however, refers to a ball already in play and there is no restriction on the player hitting the ball more than once.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

ANY person taking ANY free kick (indfk, dfk ,corner, goal kick, kick off or PK) and thrown-in restarts cannot touch/play that ball a second time until any of the other 21 players get at least one touch of the ball.
If on the restart the ball rebounds off the referee or an AR, corner flag, goal post or crossbar while that ball is in play the kicker or thrower is not free to play it a second time.

The only restart exception is a drop ball where the player(s) taking that restart are free to dribble or touch that ball consecutively

You did say the ball was in play and then a shot was taken correct?

In ongoing active play of course the player can take any rebound that remains in pla. This includes the set plays where the ball is put into play and another player kicks it.
The ball is inplay when kicked and moved with the need to be moved forward in kick offs and pks only.
All free kicks from inside a defenders own penalty area must clear the area before the ball can be in play
Cheers