Question Number: 26280

Law 16 - Goal Kick 5/2/2012

RE: Select Under 14

john cinealis of Sheboygan, Wisconsin USA asks...

Regarding a goal kick....Can the goalie place the ball on the ground and then pick it up and move it to another location before kicking it? Would this be a penalty?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
In a USSF game there is no offence in repositioning the ball provided that it is not done to delay the restart.
Many times goalkeeper sets the ball on a small divot and perhaps the ball has then rolled into a depression which makes it difficult to kick. Resetting the ball here is not done to delay the restart so the referee would not intervene.
However should the goalkeeper set the ball and then move it to the other side of the goal area that would be delaying the restart IMO and a possible caution with the very least a strong warning. As the ball is not in play the restart of the goal kick does not change.
In NFHS games the ball may not be repositioned after being placed and the player is cautioned for doing so.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is never a penalty kick. The ball is out of play.

The referee should be proactive to prevent time wasting. The circumstances will inform whether the keeper is simply trying to waste time and protect a lead. Warnings usually will suffice, but if ignored, the player may be cautioned for delaying the restart of play.