Question Number: 26461

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 6/15/2012

RE: pro Adult

Marie Willcox of Torce Viviers en Charnie, Mayenne France asks...

can you please solve an argument with my grandson and his mum, he is 12 years of age, and says that if a goal keeper kicks the ball from his end and it goes into the oppositions goal it is not a goal, we differ that, as my husband used to play for LEYTON ORIENT many years ago, and he says the goal is allowed, I also believe this, after having to sit though so many football matches with my football crazy husband. so who is right, have they changed this rule or is the goal still allowed. Thank you for your time.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Marie
The law has not changed on this. A goalkeeper may score from a punt. In 1967 Pat Jennings playing as goalkeeper for Spurs scored on a punt out of his hands against Manchester United which your husband may remember. It was one of the first to be televised.
What has changed is that up until 1997 it was not possible to score directly from a goal kick restart in the opponents' goal. That all changed in 1997 when Law 15 was changed to allow the goal. That though is a pretty rare feat as kicking the ball off the ground from the 6 yard line is no mean achievement.
What may have confused your grandson is that if he has played small sided games there may be a competition rule not allow a goal on a punt out of the hands by the goalkeeper. That is due the small size of the pitch and also to encourage a passing game. That does not apply to the regular game.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Grandson is 12 and forgets that mom is always right.

As in this case. A goal can be scored by the keeper directly on a goal kick, punt, throw (it would be a long throw) or kick. It has happened quite frequently.

Here's an example from EPl in January.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2012-01-04/goalkeeper-tim-howard-scores-goal-for-everton

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The Law has not changed but the grandson may still be correct. It is possible at lower age groups where he plays that there is a modification that says the keeper may not kick the ball past the centerline either at a goal kick or a punt.
I've seen this modification in many places