Do Goal Kicks Have to Leave the Box in Soccer?
Do Goal Kicks Have to Leave the Box? The Rule Explained
The Old Rule vs. The New Rule
What used to happen before 2019
Alright, let’s go back in time a bit. If you played soccer (or watched it) before 2019, you probably remember this super frustrating moment: the goalkeeper takes a goal kick, a defender receives it inside the penalty box, and BOOM — the ref blows the whistle. Why? Because the ball hadn’t left the box before being touched. Yep, that was the rule. It had to leave the penalty area before anyone on the same team could touch it.
Honestly, I remember playing in high school and getting yelled at by our coach, Marcus, for not waiting. “Let it roll out!” he’d shout. I didn’t get why it mattered so much — I just wanted to keep the game moving.
FIFA’s change in 2019
Then came 2019. FIFA updated the Laws of the Game, and this specific rule got a makeover. Now, goal kicks no longer have to leave the penalty box to be in play. As soon as the ball is kicked and clearly moves, it’s considered “live,” even if a teammate touches it inside the box.
That rule change? Total game-changer.
Why the Rule Was Changed
Faster play, fewer interruptions
Let’s be real — waiting for the ball to roll out of the box was... boring. Sometimes it even rolled too slowly and had to be retaken. The new rule makes the game faster, more fluid. Players can build play right from the back without that awkward pause.
Tactical advantages
I chatted with my friend Luis (he coaches a U-17 team), and he told me they started building way more attacks from inside the box after the rule change. The keeper plays it short, the center-back receives it instantly, and boom — they’re off.
It encourages ball control, awareness, and a smarter game.
Does the Opponent Still Have to Stay Out?
Yes! No sneaky pressing allowed
Here’s where some folks get confused. Even though teammates can touch the ball inside the box now, the opposing team still has to stay outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked.
If they don’t? Well, the kick can be retaken — or worse, the ref might let it go, and chaos ensues. Trust me, I saw this happen in a Sunday league match, and man, the arguments that followed were not pretty.
Situations That Still Cause Confusion
Ball doesn’t move = doesn’t count
Let’s say the goalkeeper taps the ball lightly and it just wobbles in place. That’s not a legal goal kick. The ball has to clearly move. This detail caused some headaches when the rule first changed. I remember arguing with a ref once — turns out, I was wrong (oops).
Opponent steps in early — now what?
If an opponent enters the box before the kick and touches the ball? That’s usually an automatic retake. Some refs let it slide, but by the book, it’s a violation.
Final Whistle: What You Really Need to Know
Honestly, when FIFA made this rule change, I was relieved. It felt like a small tweak, but it made the game feel more... natural. Less technical for the sake of being technical. So next time someone asks:
“Do goal kicks have to leave the box?” — you can say, “Not anymore, buddy.”
And if they don’t believe you? Just tell them to check Law 16. Or send them this article. I’ve got your back.
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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
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