Question on goal kicks

[saabrian]

I was under the impression that you could take a goal kick anywhere on the edge of or inside the 6 yard box. But on a game this weekend, one of the kids I coached tried to take the kick on the other side of the 6 yard box from where the ball went out of bounds and the ref told him he couldn't. Am I mistaken and was the ref correct?

[GKbenji]

I was under the impression that you could take a goal kick anywhere on the edge of or inside the 6 yard box. But on a game this weekend, one of the kids I coached tried to take the kick on the other side of the 6 yard box from where the ball went out of bounds and the ref told him he couldn't. Am I mistaken and was the ref correct?

Under the current version of the Laws, the ref was mistaken. A goal kick can be taken from anywhere in the goal area.

However, under older versions of the Laws, the ref used to be correct. Formerly you had to take a goal kick from the side of the goal where the ball went out. This was removed a few years back ('97?). Sounds like the ref hasn't bothered to go through the Lawbook in a while, or just had a flashback.

[Ref Flunkie]

Also, it does not need to be on the "edge" of the box, just somewhere in the box. This also applies to any foul/violation that occurs in the goal area that results in a free kick for the defenders.

[saabrian]

Also, it does not need to be on the "edge" of the box, just somewhere in the box. This also applies to any foul/violation that occurs in the goal area that results in a free kick for the defenders.

Thanks. That's why I wrote "anywhere on the edge of or inside the 6 yard box."

:-)

Anyways, thanks to both of you for your responses. I felt embarassed when the ref told my kid to move it back, since I'd made a point of telling my kids that you could take it anywhere within the 6. I'm glad it was the ref who should have egg on his face... though it doesn't quite inspire me with a load of confidence.

[whitehound]

Thanks. That's why I wrote "anywhere on the edge of or inside the 6 yard box."

:-)

Anyways, thanks to both of you for your responses. I felt embarassed when the ref told my kid to move it back, since I'd made a point of telling my kids that you could take it anywhere within the 6. I'm glad it was the ref who should have egg on his face... though it doesn't quite inspire me with a load of confidence.Another posibility I see all the time: A kid places the ball for a goal kick, backs up.....and runs up and replaces the ball to the otherside of the goal area.....wastes time and gains nothing.....I tell keepers to place the ball one time.

[saabrian]

That's the only other thing makes sense to me. Though we were down 0-4 at the time so we didn't really have an incentive to waste time. But I'll mention that to my kid. Thanks.

[Ref Flunkie]

Thanks. That's why I wrote "anywhere on the edge of or inside the 6 yard box."

:-)



Oops, you can tell I have impressive reading skills ;).

[karps]

That's the only other thing makes sense to me. Though we were down 0-4 at the time so we didn't really have an incentive to waste time. But I'll mention that to my kid. Thanks.
At the younger ages, kids think they are being clever by switching sides. But it takes so long to do that the other team almost always adjusts before the kick.

Another common problem is on poorly-tended fields where the corners of the goal area are bare dirt. A lot of young players will try to place the ball outside the corner of the area to get on top of a tuft of grass. When I tell them to get it back inside, they complain about the hole. I point out the beautiful vegetation just three inches further inside, and they ask if that's legal. Fortunately for your players, Saabrian, the coach has given them correct information.:)

[Ref Flunkie]

At the younger ages, kids think they are being clever by switching sides. But it takes so long to do that the other team almost always adjusts before the kick.


Every time I see this I outwardly shake my head because it is so darn stupid. It doesn't fool anyone, it isn't clever at all. One of the many things I see every time I referee that makes me want to coach.

[tmaker]

Every time I see this I outwardly shake my head because it is so darn stupid. It doesn't fool anyone, it isn't clever at all. One of the many things I see every time I referee that makes me want to coach.

Yeah, as if somehow a ball placed dead center in the goal area couldn't be kicked to either side more cleverly than a ball placed at a corner. "Gee, he placed it on the right corner...I wonder where the kick will go?" Such awe-inspiring tactics.

I understand coaches not having confidence in their players's ability to kick the ball to the outside, rather than directly in front of the goal (this is, after all, why coaches instruct their players to place the ball on the corner). But as a coach, if I want a player to kick the ball outside, and still "fool" the opponent, I'm placing that ball dead center, and teaching my kids in practice to kick in the direction of fewest opponents with a foot feint. Even U10s can cross their legs, if you practice. Our U10 keeper can easily clear the ball to the half-line of the field, so distance is not an issue.

Not to mention it too much, but this stupid tactic wears a hole in the corner of the goal area--which tells you exactly how many lame coaches there are, and why I tire of 6-1 blowouts in rec leagues.

[Ref Flunkie]

Not to mention it too much, but this stupid tactic wears a hole in the corner of the goal area--which tells you exactly how many lame coaches there are, and why I tire of 6-1 blowouts in rec leagues.

You need to move up to Premier! :)

[Crowdie]

Every time I see this I outwardly shake my head because it is so darn stupid. It doesn't fool anyone, it isn't clever at all. One of the many things I see every time I referee that makes me want to coach.

It is just a sign that the team is not well coached. Any good team will move into position as soon as the goal kick is signalled by the referee and once the ball has been placed down and the keeper starts to move forward the team will move to the positions that actually want to be in. If the keeper has to switch sides to get the ball to his/her players then the team has no goal kick strategy.

[jkc313]

I was under the impression that you could take a goal kick anywhere on the edge of or inside the 6 yard box. But on a game this weekend, one of the kids I coached tried to take the kick on the other side of the 6 yard box from where the ball went out of bounds and the ref told him he couldn't. Am I mistaken and was the ref correct?

The requirement that the goal kick be taken from the side the ball went out was changed, I believe, in 1997