Question Number: 27298

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 4/7/2013

RE: select Under 12

Lance Weller of Apex, nc usa asks...

My brother was playing select soccer. He was goalie. One of the kids on the other team punted it and bounced into the goal. Someone said that since no one had touched on theirs or our team he should have not tried to tip it and keep it away because it wouldn't count because nobody touched it. Is this true? Thank You

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Lance
As the all was in play from a punt then a goal would be allowed. The only plays that a goal cannot be scored directly from are a throw in and an indirect free kick. Sometimes the rules are modified for small sided games such as all free kicks are indirect or it is not possible to score from a punt due to the size of the field of play. I suspect at U12 it may have been a small sided game?
In some small sided games that I officiate on the ball cannot be punted beyond half way so as to encourage passing play and all kicks including kick ins (instead of throw ins) are indirect.
In Futsal a goal cannot be scored from a kick in or from a goal clearance by the goalkeeper. Nor can the goalkeeper score from a throw into the opponent's goal.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Lance. 'Someone' was thinking of a restart in play, probably an Indirect Free Kick. While the ball is in play, like at a punt, a goal may always be scored directly. And at all restarts too, except throw-ins and indirect free kicks.