Law 16

The Goal Kick A goal kick is a method of restarting play. A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team. A goal kick is awarded when:

	the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10

Procedure

	the ball is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team
	opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
	the kicker does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player
	the ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area

Infringements/Sanctions If the ball is not kicked directly into play beyond the penalty area:

	the kick is retaken

Goal kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:

	an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:

	a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
	a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area

Goal kick taken by the goalkeeper If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:

	an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:

	a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
	an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

For any other infringement of this Law:

	the kick is retaken

Copyright © 2006 Grantham & District Referees' Association
Last modified: June 27, 2006
Authorised use of references and pictures granted by Fédération Internationale de Football Association [FIFA] - 11th January 2001 Copyright © 1994-2000