Law 16 - The Goal Kick - The FA

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Laws of the Game & FA Rules

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Laws of the Game & FA Rules
Laws
Football (11 v 11)
Law 16 - The Goal Kick

Law 16: The Goal Kick

IFAB Laws of the Game 2025-26

Expand Law 16 The Goal Kick

A goal kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the attacking team, and a goal is not scored (see also Laws 8, 10, 13 and 15). A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.

1. Procedure

The ball must be stationary and is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team
The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves
Opponents must be outside the penalty area until the ball is in play

2. Offences and sanctions

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded; if the kicker commits a handball offence:

a direct free kick is awarded
a penalty kick is awarded if the offence occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area unless the kicker was the goalkeeper in which case an indirect free kick is awarded

If, when a goal kick is taken, any opponents are inside the penalty area because they did not have time to leave, the referee allows play to continue. If an opponent who is in the penalty area when the goal kick is taken, or enters the penalty area before the ball is in play, touches or challenges for the ball before it is in play, the goal kick is retaken.

If a player enters the penalty area before the ball is in play and fouls or is fouled by an opponent, the goal kick is retaken and the offender may be cautioned or sent off depending on the offence. For any other offence the kick is retaken.