Question Number: 35613

League Specific 7/9/2024

RE: Under 9

Adam Bragg of Middlesbrough, United Kingdom United Kingdom asks...

The new 'dribble-in' rule for 2024/25 to replace throw-ins.

Can a player 'dribble-in' and score directly from the 'dribble-in', IE, if no one else touches the ball?

In recent friendlies, Refs and coaches all seem confused.

Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Adam
Kick-ins and dribble-ins trials have been introduced instead of throw-ins to create more technical opportunities for players with the ball at their feet, allow for more effective playing time, and to help reduce the amount of time the ball is in the air during a match. Also trying to reduce the use of heading in this.

When the whole of the ball passes over the whole of the touchline, on the ground or in the air, instead of a throw-in, a pass-in / dribble-in is awarded

The kicker that takes the pass-in / dribble-in may touch the ball again before it is touched by another player

At the moment of delivering the ball:

The ball must be stationary on the touchline at the point where it left the pitch only the kicker may be off the pitch

All opponents must stand at least 5 yards from the point on the touchline where the pass-in or /dribble-in is to be taken from

A goal CANNOT be scored directly from a pass-in yet no mention of the dribble in. One would assume that once the dribble in has taken place the ball is in play and a goal can be scored. The rule is not clear on this hence the uncertainty.

The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.

As it develops more certainty will be brought one would assume. I doubt it is going to be an issue for 99% of play so referees will have to go with what they believe is right.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Adam.

It currently appears as if they are ok to allow the player to dribble in and directly score AFTER a 2nd touch Just not the first. Under 9 with the smaller goals it likely has more to do with just getting play going and perhaps reducing headers by keeping the ball on the ground!

Yet if this applied to older groups?

My concern for this wrinkle is: If a dribble in, can be dribbled in, and scored by the taker with the ball always in their possession then he could set the ball, then tap the ball just off the touchline to put it in play and blast his second touch at the goal if by chance the keeper was away. This COULD encourage attackers to immediately get to that ball, place it, tap it then and have a go.

The referee should be very blade of grass orientated about the restart location & this 5 yards instead of 2 because even if a shot was not being taken as a 2nd touch the advantage of a no whistled restart to be able to freely dribble it unlike either type of a foul free kick (dfk or indfk), seems very advantageous? I am checking to see if this wrinkle has been smoothed out because it seems fishy if this applies to all age groups?

I think since the throw in was not allowed directly to score and the common sense reasoning to deny a dribble in free kick to score directly as there is no foul involved, if they have REMOVED the double touch and let the player take off , I would think there could be a restriction that player CAN NOT Score by himself without that ball at least touching at least one other of the 21 players much like the INDFK restriction?

Who knows I maybe making something out of nothing? We are checking sources and will get back to you if we receive word it is diffrent.
As my colleague stated earlier, at wee ones with the smaller goals, it likely has more to do with just getting play going and perhaps reducing headers by keeping the ball on the ground!
Cheers