Goal kick procedure since the ball is in play once kicked and moves, and opponents' obligation to leave the penalty area.
A goal kick is awarded when the whole ball crosses the goal line, having last touched an attacker, and a goal is not scored. The ball is placed anywhere in the goal area and kicked by a player of the defending team.
The ball is in play as soon as it is kicked and clearly moves. It does NOT have to leave the penalty area — a change from the older Law that still catches people out — so a team-mate may legally receive it inside the area.
Opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play. If one is inside when the kick is taken and plays or challenges for the ball, the goal kick is retaken.
A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opponents. If it goes directly into the taker's own goal, the opponents receive a corner kick.
If the taker touches the ball again before another player does, an indirect free kick is awarded — or a direct free kick for deliberate handling.
Written against the published IFAB Laws of the Game. For the official text, see IFAB's own Laws documents.
The ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves; it may be played inside the penalty area. Opponents must be outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
3 questions on The Goal Kick, each with the correct answer and an explanation of the reasoning. These are drawn from the free question bank.
At a goal kick, when is the ball in play, and may it be played inside the penalty area?
A goal kick is taken while an opponent is still inside the penalty area. That opponent plays the ball. What is the decision?
A goal kick is played long and enters the opponents' goal directly without being touched. What is the decision?
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