Law 10: Determining the Outcome of a Match Explained
Law 10 defines what constitutes a goal and when a goal is valid. It also covers the procedures for kicks from the penalty mark (penalty shootout) and how a winner is determined when the score is level.
Key Points
- 1A goal is scored when the ball wholly crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar.
- 2No offence by the attacking team must have occurred in the lead-up to the goal.
- 3The team scoring the most goals wins the match.
- 4In kicks from the penalty mark, teams take alternate kicks and the team scoring more kicks wins.
- 5A goalkeeper must have both feet on or behind the goal line when a penalty is taken in a shootout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a goal be scored directly from a throw-in?
No. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. If the ball is thrown directly into the opponent's goal, a goal kick is awarded. If it goes directly into the thrower's own goal, a corner kick is awarded.
What is the procedure for kicks from the penalty mark?
Each team selects a maximum of five kicks initially. Teams alternate kicks. If the score is still level after five kicks each, the shootout proceeds to sudden death where each team takes one kick at a time. A player can take a second kick only after every eligible player on that team has taken one.
Can a goalkeeper move before the ball is kicked in a penalty shootout?
The goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the goal line (or be behind it) at the moment the ball is kicked. They may move laterally along the line. If the goalkeeper encroaches and the penalty is missed, the kick is retaken.
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