Sam Snow | Technical Director | US Youth Soccer | The Goalkeeper and Law 16
Law 16 is the Goal Kick. It is the way to put the ball back into play after it has been played over the goal
line, but not into the goal, by the attacking team. The goal kick falls under the topic of distribution for
the goalkeeper. But too many goalkeepers, and evidently many of their coaches, view the goal kick as
simply a way to put the ball back into play; when in fact it is the first move on the attack.
But before we talk about attacking tactics let’s be clear on who should take the goal kick – the
goalkeeper. Some coaches have a field player take the goal kick while the keeper stays in the
goalmouth. Tactically this puts the attacking team numbers down as one of their field players is back in
the goal area taking the kick. For the attacking team to be numbers even with the opponent’s field
players then the attacking goalkeeper must take the kick.
Coaches sometimes use the approach of a fullback taking the kick for fear of losing the ball near their
own penalty area and the likely ensuing shot on their goal by the opponent. Loss of the ball in the
attacking team’s defending half occurs due to poor positioning by the field players (potential receivers
of the goal kick pass) and/or poor technique of the goal kick. These miscues (merely a part of the trial
and error of the learning process) most often occur with younger teams.
The U10 age group is using goalkeepers for the first time. These young keepers should be allowed to
take the goal kick. But their strength will not be great and their technique of the kick will be raw. Hence
the US Youth Soccer recommendation is to follow the modification below.
Recommended Modified Law 16 for the U10 Age Group
US Youth Soccer recommended rule modification: Law 16 – The Goal Kick: Conform to FIFA. | It is
suggested that if necessary opponents drop back to their own half of the field until the ball is in play. If
the suggestion of using the halfway line is used then the defending players must stand at least at the
halfway line until the ball is in play. The position of the defending players is so that the attacking team
has a chance to play the ball out of their penalty area. Teams are encouraged to inter-pass the ball in
order to advance up field.
Tactics of the Goal Kick
When the goalkeeper thinks of the goal kick as merely a way to put the ball back into play then little or
no tactical thought is given to the kick. Furthermore, the kick is usually rushed and no attempt is made
to place it at a certain location.
The goal kick is the first pass on the attack for the goalkeeper’s team. The keeper must read the game
to decide should the pass from the goal kick be for penetration or possession. The goalkeeper must look
up-field and go through a mental checklist on distribution options. The goalkeeper should always look
to the center first and then to the wings. Look first to the strikers, then the mid-fielders, and then
defenders. If it is “on”, distributing to the strikers or mid-fielders may start a quick counterattack. If
Sam Snow | Technical Director | US Youth Soccer | The Goalkeeper and Law 16
possible, the keeper should place the ball into open space beyond the teammate it is being sent to so he
or she may run onto the ball and toward the opponent’s goal.
If a build-up attack is called for, distribute to the wide mid-fielders or defenders. They then take the
attack up-field by inter-passing.
After the keeper has distributed he or she should move up in the penalty area to become a supporting
player to his or her teammates on and near the ball. The further up-field the ball goes, the further out
the keeper should come.
Figure 1 Excellent goal kick form and eyes on the ball
Proper Technique of the Goal Kick
1. Place the ball anywhere in the goal area. However, to begin with the best distance and angle for
a goal kick that results in possession of the ball by the attacking team try placing the ball at the
top corner of the goal area to the side of the field that the keeper plans to pass the ball.
2. Visually pick out the spot or teammate to pass the ball.
3. Eyes now focus on the ball while taking measured steps to the ball.
4. Plant foot goes beside the ball about 4 or 5 inches to the side.
Sam Snow | Technical Director | US Youth Soccer | The Goalkeeper and Law 16
5. Toes of the plant foot should point toward the target (that will help turn the hips toward the
target on the follow through).
6. The knee of the standing leg should be slightly bent.
7. Lean slightly backwards.
8. The head should be steady with the eyes on the ball.
9. The backswing of the kicking leg comes from the hip, although the knee of that leg will bend.
10. Arms out slightly to the sides for good balance.
11. Point the toes of the kicking foot downward with the ankle of that foot locking it into place.
12. Swing with the whole leg from the hip.
13. Strike the ball at a 45° angle so that the toes go slightly under the ball to provide lift and the
instep drives through the ball to provide propulsion.
14. Follow through with the kicking foot toward the target.
15. The height of the ball should be about ten feet and the flight of the ball should be relatively flat.