This year’s changes to Law 16 – The Goal Kick have often led to the game being restarted quickly and positively but there are two situations which have generated questions from across the football world which we would like to clarify.
1. Goalkeeper ‘lifting’ the ball to a team mate who heads/chests it back to the goalkeeper
There has been much debate about whether, at a goal kick, the goalkeeper is permitted to ‘lift’ the ball to a team mate to head or chest it back to the goalkeeper to catch and then put into play. The views of technical and refereeing experts about whether this is within the ‘spirit’ of the Laws is divided so the matter will be discussed by The IFAB. Until then, this practice should not be permitted nor should it be penalised. If it occurs the referee should order the goal kick to be re-taken (but without any disciplinary action).
2. Opponent in the penalty area when a goal kick is taken
Law 16 requires all opponents to be outside the penalty area until the goal kick is taken and if an opponent remains inside or enters the penalty area before the kick is taken and plays, challenges or touches the ball, the goal kick is retaken.
However, Law 16 also applies the ‘quick’ free kick principles outlined in Law 13 – Free Kicks, 3. Offences and sanctions that if any opponents are in the penalty areas because they did not have time to leave, the referee allows play to continue.
In practical terms, this means that referees should manage goal kicks (and defending team free kicks in their own penalty area) in the same way as they manage free kicks:
- Unless the kick is taken quickly, opposing players should be required to be outside the penalty area and remain outside until the kick has been taken.
- If the kick is taken quickly and an opponent genuinely did not have time to leave the penalty area, the opponent may not interfere with or prevent the taking of the kick but may intercept the ball once it is in play. This is allowed because the defending team, as at a quick free kick, tried to gain an advantage by taking the kick quickly and if this ‘goes wrong’ the Law is not there to ‘save’ them.
- Players who deliberately remain inside or enter the penalty area before the kick is taken should not gain an unfair advantage, even if the kick is taken quickly.
If an opposing player commits an offence (as outlined above) the goal kick is retaken; there is no disciplinary sanction unless the offence occurs a number of times (persistent misconduct).
Referees are skilled at managing 9.15 meters/10 yards at free kicks and they should apply these skills and principles to the management of goal kicks and defending team free kicks in their own penalty area.
Link to circular no. 16 here.
Download circular no. 16 in English here.
Licensing for 2024 licensing courses will stay within the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. To renew your certification for 2024, you will need to register and successfully complete your respective 2024 licensing courses utilizing the U.S. Soccer Learning Center.
As 2024 licensing courses open for registration during this badge year, information/course links will be posted below in this article and an email will be sent from the State Administrator providing the same information.
Referees - though your registration for 2023 is in effect until December 31, 2023, we strongly encourage you to review the changes to the laws of the game that went into effect on July 1, 2023. You can find that information in another news post by clicking here.
Items of note:
1) NCSI Background Check - if you turn 18 over the period that is still covered by your 2023 registration, you will need to pay for and obtain a background screen – U.S. Soccer will send you notice of this requirement and if not completed in the required time, your registration will be suspended until this is approved. After logging in, go to Profile or Dashboard (scroll over your name in upper right corner) and see any notifications. If you need an NCSI background Check, there will be a link for the process.
2) SafeSport training - if you turn 18 over the period that is still covered by your 2023 registration, you will need to complete the SafeSport training – U.S. Soccer will send you notice of this requirement and if not completed in the required time, your registration will be suspended until this is successfully completed. After logging in, go to Profile or Dashboard (scroll over your name in upper right corner) and see any notifications. If you need SafeSport training, there will be a link to the module.
3) SafeSport training refresher- if your SafeSport training expires during the period that is covered by your 2023 registration, you will need to complete the SafeSport Refresher Course – U.S. Soccer will send you notice of this requirement and if not completed in the required time, your registration will be suspended until this is successfully completed. After logging in, go to Profile or Dashboard (scroll over your name in upper right corner) and see any notifications. If you need SafeSport training, there will be a link to the module.
For more information on NCSI background check and SafeSport training, click here.
For questions in regards to the U.S. Soccer NCSI background check requirements and process, you can click here for the FAQ page.
COURSES NOW AVAILABLE IN THE U.S. SOCCER LEARNING CENTER
If you have any questions or concerns, please email the State Administrator
Licensing for 2024 licensing courses will stay within the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. To renew your certification for 2024, you will need to register and successfully complete your respective 2024 licensing courses utilizing the U.S. Soccer Learning Center.
Referees - though your registration for 2023 is in effect until December 31, 2023, we strongly encourage you to review the changes to the laws of the game that went into effect on July 1, 2023. You can find that information in another news post by clicking here.
Unlike other elements of your certification, your SafeSport certification must be renewed each year on the anniversary date of your original course completion and your background check must be renewed every two years on the anniversary date of its approval so if your SafeSport training or background check expires during the period that covers your current registration, you will need to complete the SafeSport Refresher Course and/or renew your NCSI background check.
U.S. Soccer will send you notices of this requirement and if not completed in the required time, your registration will be suspended until this is successfully completed. When receiving this notification prior to the anniversary date, you can locate this course, follow these steps. After logging in to the U.S. Soccer Learning Center, go to COURSES > AVAILABLE COURSES > SUPPLEMENTALCOURSES > SafeSport (in the left-hand column) which will link you to the correct training course.
The U.S. Soccer Learning Center has also created an updated that once you log in, if you see this pink bar with information, click on the red "VISIT PROFILE" button and it will show you needed requirements prior to your respective anniversary date.
If you do not complete the training and/pr have your background check approved prior to your anniversary date, you will need to log into your profile in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. Once logged in to your account, scroll over your name on the upper left and the following dropdown will appear. You will need to click on "PROFILE".
On your profile page, you will see this image along side your profile information. By clicking on the “TAKE SAFESPORT” link and/or the "TAKE BACKGROUND CHECK" link, you will be linked to the correct training course or the NCSI background check site.
FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE TRAINING OR OBTAIN THE BACKGROUND CHECK IN THE REQUIRED TIMELINE WILL TEMPORARILY SUSPEND YOUR LICENSE AND ALL ASSIGNORS WILL BE NOTIFIED THAT YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCEPT ASSIGNMENTS.
For questions in regards to the U.S. Soccer NCSI background check requirements and process, you can click here for the FAQ page.
A number of changes to the Laws of the Game for 2023/2024 were approved; the exact wording is in the document available for download below.
Laws of the Game 2023/24 effective as from 1 July
It was agreed that, to give players, coaches and match officials more time to become familiar with the changes to the Laws of the Game, the date on which they become effective will move from 1 June to 1 July. Competitions that start before that date may implement the changes earlier or delay their implementation until no later than the start of the next competition.
Download the Laws of the Game 2023/2024 in English from IFAB here.
Download the Laws of the Game 2023/2024 Changes and clarifications in English from IFAB here.
Download Circular no. 27 - 137th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The International Football Association Board (The IFAB) – Decisions in English here.
View the Laws of the Game 2023/2024 Changes and clarifications presentation in English here.
Download Circular no. 26 - Law 11 - Offside: Clarification of the guidelines – Decisions in English here.
