Law 16 – The Goal Kick

A goal kick is a method of restarting play.

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

A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team.

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 must not play the ball again until it has touched another player
  • The ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area

Infringements and sanctions

If the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area from a goal kick:

  • 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 again (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:

  • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)

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, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
  • 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 again (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:

  • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)

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, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)
  • an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 – Position of free kick)

In the event of any other infringement of this Law:

  • the kick is retaken