Law 16: The Goal Kick Explained
Law 16 covers when a goal kick is awarded, the procedure for taking it, and the change introduced in 2019 that allows opponents to enter the penalty area before the ball is in play (once it is kicked and clearly moves).
Key Points
- 1A goal kick is awarded when the ball wholly crosses the goal line and was last touched by an attacking player.
- 2The ball is placed anywhere in the goal area.
- 3Opponents must be outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
- 4If a team unfairly delays a goal kick, the referee counts down five seconds visually, and a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team if the time runs out.
- 5The ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves.
- 6The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until another player has touched it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can opponents be inside the penalty area when a goal kick is taken?
No. Opponents must be outside the penalty area until the ball is in play. The 2019 change is often misremembered as removing that requirement; what it actually changed is that the ball is now in play as soon as it is kicked and clearly moves, rather than having to leave the penalty area first, so opponents can enter the moment it is kicked. If an opponent is inside the area at the kick, or enters before the ball is in play, and then touches or challenges for the ball before it is in play, the goal kick is retaken. The referee allows play to continue where an opponent simply had no time to leave.
Can a goal be scored directly from a goal kick?
Yes. A goal can be scored directly from a goal kick against the opposing team. However, if the ball enters the kicking team's own goal directly, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.
What happens if the kicker plays the ball a second time from a goal kick?
If the kicker plays the ball a second time before any other player has touched it, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opponents. If they handle it, a direct free kick or penalty is awarded depending on where the offence occurred.
Got a question about The Goal Kick?
RefereeGPT is trained on the full IFAB Laws of the Game and can answer any question about Law 16. Ask your first question for free.