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This clarification is being sent at the request of some AYSO region 45
staff who have observed inconsistent procedures being enforced by match
officials.<br>
<br>
<u><b>The referee has awarded a goal kick to the defending team.<br>
Where may/must the ball be placed for the GK?</b></u><br>
<br>
The answer is very clear in Law 16:<br>
<blockquote><font color="#ff0000"><i><b>• The ball is kicked from <u>any
point within the goal area</u> by a player of the<br>
defending team</b></i></font><br>
</blockquote>
In U8 the fields are marked with a single area. The ball may be placed
anywhere in that single area. In U10 and upper divisions where the
fields are marked with both a goal area and a penalty area, the ball
may be placed anywhere in the goal area.<br>
<br>
The defender taking the goal kick will typically place the ball on the
goal area line, to start the ball as far upfield as possible before
taking the kick. However, placing the ball there is not a requirement.
In any case, choosing the spot to place the ball is up to the
defenders, not the referee team, as long as the location is legal
("anywhere in the goal area").<br>
<br>
Once the ball has been placed in a legal location for the GK, the
defender is not permitted to change her mind, pick up the ball, and
move it to a different spot (such as to the opposite side of the goal
area) before taking the GK. Picking the ball up and moving it is
considered time-wasting that delays the restart of the game. If this
happens, the referee should blow the whistle and instruct the player to
leave the ball where she has placed it (or she has already moved the
ball, to return it to where she had placed it) and to kick the ball
from that spot.<br>
<br>
On a Goal Kick restart, the ball is not in play until the ball has left
the penalty area (the single area, in U8). If the ball does not leave
the penalty area (weak kick, wet/heavy ball, long grass, or intercepted
by another player), then the ball is not in play and the kick must be
retaken. The kick does not have to be retaken by the same player - and
in younger division games, where a weak kick is the reason for the ball
not exiting the penalty area, it is often wise for the rekick to be
taken by a different (and, one hopes, stronger) player.<br>
<br>
Beau<br>
<br>
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