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Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


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Question Number: 35682

Law 16 - The Goal Kick 9/5/2024

RE: Competitive Under 17

Ian Dibdin of Falkirk , Central Scotland asks...

Can a goalkeeper restart the game by punching (using his hand) the ball in their own box ie goal kick?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ian,
NO, the ball must be stationary on the correct spot and then kicked and moved.

Once the ball is kicked by the keeper they could not immediately use their hands as that would be a 2nd touch and INDFK if it occurs inside the PA. The ball must contact another player first

If a defender took the goal kick and then the keeper was to immediately use their hands it also is an INDFK , but for illegal handling if occurs inside the PA.
Cheers



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Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ian
Thanks for the question.

The answer is no. The ball must be placed inside the goal area and kicked. Once the ball is kicked it is in play.
Under the previous Law 16 the ball had to leave the penalty area to be in play. As you know that is not required now.

The kick though is still an integral part of all restarts with obvious exception the thrown in. All other restarts including the goal kick requires that the ball is placed appropriately, is at rest and it is in play when it is kicked and moves.

In some Underage small sided games the goal kick law is amended. Goalkeepers can only distribute the ball through underarm throws and there may be a retreat line for opponents. Goalkeepers are not allowed to kick the ball deliberately unless in the process of making a save.
Quite obviously that does not apply in regular games under the full Laws of the Game.



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Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Ian,
No, this would not be allowed. For all restarts where the ball starts inside the field of play, the law states that the ball:

"is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves"

The law definition of 'kick' says:

"The ball is kicked when a player makes contact with it with the foot and/or the ankle."

So using the hand would not fulfill the conditions needed for play to restart.



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