Question Number: 25053

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 6/3/2011

RE: competive Under 11

pete of great river, ny usa asks...

I have 2 questions:
1) at the start or restart of the game at center field is the kick direct or indirect ( can a team soce a goal on the opening kick without it touching some one first)

2)Goalie makes the save and inturn punts it out of the box the kick doesnt go to far so goalie runs to ball and kicks it a second time,without touching it with hands,is that legal.does it matter if in or out on goalie box?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Pete
1. A goal can be scored directly from the kick off.
2. As described it makes no difference. The GK may not touch the ball again with his hands until it has been touched by an opponent but there is no restriction on the use of the foot. It is the same as throwing the ball down and dribbling the ball. On a goal kick or a free kick inside the penalty area the ball must leave the penalty area for it to be in play.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

1. Law 8 provides that a goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.

2. During active play, the keeper is always allowed to play the ball with the feet after releasing it from her hands. The location is not relevant. She may not handle (inside her penalty area) the released ball until it touches another player.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. A goal may be scored directly at a kick off.
2. The ball was live throughout the sequence of events. The keeper is allowed to play the ball with any part of his body except his hands after releasing the ball and punting it. It does not matter where the ball is as the keeper may legally play the ball with her feet anywhere on the field