The Ref Stop

Goal kicks

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shaner

New Member
Hi All,

I run a school league and one of the questions I get asked a lot is

Goal kicks are usually taken on the ground, but what circumstances allow them to take the kick from their hands?

I'm confused myself here, I thought that a keeper could either choose to kick from the hands or the floor.

Could someone shed any light for me, Tia
 
The Ref Stop
Hi Tia

Is this is 9v9 or 11v11, all goal kicks must be taken from the ground. Fly-kicks can only happen if the goalkeeper picks the ball up (legally) before it goes out of play.

Mini-soccer..... I don't remember.
 
Goal kicks, taken when the attacking team kick the ball out of play beyond the goal line, are always taken from the floor with a stationary ball.

Goal keepers can choose to kick the ball off the ground or out of their hands if they pick the ball up/collect the ball in open play.
 
Worth adding that when the keeper has the ball in his hands legally, this is not a goal kick.

All goal kick restarts i.e. when the ball goes out of play over the goal line and last played/touched by the attacking team are taken from ground, with the ball stationary and from within the goal area.
 
Runner Ref said:
Hi Tia

Is this is 9v9 or 11v11, all goal kicks must be taken from the ground. Fly-kicks can only happen if the goalkeeper picks the ball up (legally) before it goes out of play.

Mini-soccer..... I don't remember.
Click to expand...
Fyi mini soccer is the same (if it ever becomes relevant for you!)
 
In 11 v 11, must be stationary on the ground.
In mini soccer (under 10's and younger) the kick is taken from the ground within the penalty area, with the opponents required to be in their own half.
 
JamesL said:
Worth adding that when the keeper has the ball in his hands legally, this is not a goal kick.
Click to expand...
This is really important as the ball is still in play at this point - so can't be stopped for a substitution, for example.

(I did that in my very first game, to get treatment for an injury, then carried on to everyone's confusion 😒)
 
On a somewhat related point and something some teams get confused about (for similar reasons) teams can NOT do a substitution when keepers have the ball in their hands without it going out of play.

I get asked this once a couple of seasons when I referee the lower division.
 
Not sure when the laws were rewritten about goal kicks but I had a memory come up yesterday on Facebook in regards to goal kick in that it was not written anywhere that the goal kick must be stationary (it definitely is written now).
Just said it must be placed within the goal area (6 yard box).
This memory was from 2015. Here is an extract of the LOTG regarding goal kicks in 2014/15.
 

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one said:
On a somewhat related point and something some teams get confused about (for similar reasons) teams can NOT do a substitution when keepers have the ball in their hands without it going out of play.

I get asked this once a couple of seasons when I referee the lower division.
Click to expand...
Saw this happen in a cup final just this season (kinda). Play was stopped with ball in GK hands for an injury, sub made, play resumed by GK fly-kicking out after a whistle to resume. Of the crowd of 150 or so, I think only myself and the appt sec sat next to me noticed. For sure neither bench did.
 
Archer said:
Saw this happen in a cup final just this season (kinda). Play was stopped with ball in GK hands for an injury, sub made, play resumed by GK fly-kicking out after a whistle to resume. Of the crowd of 150 or so, I think only myself and the appt sec sat next to me noticed. For sure neither bench did.
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Surely it should have been a dropped ball, in which if he picks it up he can fly kick it.
 
It is interesting that the Laws do not say the ball must be on the ground for a goal kick. It only says the ball must be stationary. Maybe if the goal keeper holds the ball very very steady and kicks it (or a teammate kicks it), it will meet the LOTG. Joking of course.
 
Laying underneath it, with a very consistent strong breath making the ball hover… like air hockey with an added element of having Big Dave #1 boot yer head clean off towards the dugouts.
 
JamesL said:
TBF dropped balls to the goal keeper are pointless and performative with the added spice of having to race the ball to the drop zone.
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I agree.
They could write in to law a restart that is a dropped ball outside the area is, instead, the ball at the keepers feet (clearly informed by the official) and he can do as he pleases, including picking it up.

All players (should) know the difference between a proper free kick and what would normally be a dropped ball scenario.
 
JamesL said:
TBF dropped balls to the goal keeper are pointless and performative with the added spice of having to race the ball to the drop zone.
Click to expand...
So is any other dropped ball. The only reason it was dropped by the referee was because it was contested which no longer applies. May as well make it a type of ÌFK with additional/different conditions. We can even have a new FK called neutral free kick.
 
JamesL said:
TBF dropped balls to the goal keeper are pointless and performative with the added spice of having to race the ball to the drop zone.
Click to expand...
Just tell the goalkeeper 'once you gather it, let me get up the field before you boot it or I'll give a soft penalty against you please, I'd really appreciate that'
 
RefereeX said:
Just tell the goalkeeper 'once you gather it, let me get up the field before you boot it or I'll give a soft penalty against you please, I'd really appreciate that'
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What I actually say is, with a smile, along the lines of "you'll let me get to halfway won't you? If you don't I'll have to find a reason to book you" usually gets a smile and general compliance
 
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