BALL PLACEMENT AT A GOAL KICK
The ball is placed so that it touches the ground within the goal area, including the lines which enclose it. The outer edge of the ball could extend beyond or outside the goal area itself and still meet this requirement. Here are some examples of ball positions for a goal kick:
BALL IN PLAY FROM A GOAL KICK
The ball is in play when it is kicked beyond the penalty area into the field of play. A goal kick which results in the ball leaving the field before exiting the penalty area has not been properly taken and must be retaken. No infringement of any Law occurred before the ball leaves the penalty area can result in any restart other than a retaking of the goal kick
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SCORING DIRECTLY FROM A GOAL KICK
Only the team taking the goal kick can score a goal directly from this restart. There can be no "own goal" on a goal kick. If a properly taken goal kick goes directly (with no touch or play by any player) into the goal of the kicking team, the proper restart is a corner kick for the opposing team. Because a team cannot score directly against itself from a goal kick, no infringement of the Law by a member of the kicking team can be considered to have prevented a goal or a goal-scoring opportunity within the meaning of Law XII without some intervening play of the ball.
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OPPONENTS MUST REMAIN OUTSIDE THE PENALTY AREA
An opponent who infringes on the requirement to remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play should be warned and, upon a repetition, cautioned for persistent infringement. In any event, the goal kick is retaken.
TIME WASTING BY THE KICKING TEAM
Upon being awarded a goal kick, the defending team wastes time if the ball is clearly placed within the goal area in preparation for the restart and then is moved unnecessarily to another location. The referee may caution and show a yellow card for either persistent infringement or delaying the restart of play in situations where the offense is committed a second time by the same team after a warning is given.
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