Question Number: 24670

Law 13 - Free Kicks 3/9/2011

Jason Lee of Alabaster, Al Shelby asks...

Concerning goal kicks or free kicks played out of defensive penalty area: Law 16 says that the kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player, then says the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area--
situation: if a goal keeper takes a goal kick, kicks the ball and while it is still rolling but before it leaves the area goes and picks the ball up or touches the ball a second time. Is this a second touching (idfk)violation or simply a re-kick since the ball has not left the area?
thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jason
The ball is not in play until it leaves the penalty area so it cannot be any type of offence. The goalkick is retaken.
However if the referee believes that the deliberate action of the player delayed the restart of play then he could caution that player but that still does not change the restart.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

On a goal kick or other free kick taken by the defense from inside their own penalty area, the kick is retaken if the ball is touched (by anyone) before it leaves the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You will notice that Law 13 and Law 16 infringements say, 'If, after the ball is in play, ...' A second-touch infringment didn't happen because the ball was not yet in play.