Why is a goal kick awarded?

Answer 1

A penalty kick is awarded when a defender, while within his own penalty area, commits a penal foul (normally punishable by a Direct Free Kick) against an attacker or against the Spirit of the Game.

There are 10 penal fouls that are punishable by a direct free kick:

• kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
• trips or attempts to trip an opponent
• jumps at an opponent
• charges an opponent
• strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
• pushes an opponent
• tackles an opponent
• holds an opponent
• spits at an opponent
• handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)

If any of these are committed, against an attacker, by a defender while the ball is in play and while inside the defender's penalty area, then a penalty kick is awarded to the attacking team.

Note that there could also be misconduct resulting in a caution or a send off, but that uses a different set of criteria and is not automatic.

Answer 2

Because offisde is determined not only by the line of defenders but where the ball is. As long as the player is outside of the 18 yard box during a goal kick, they are not offisde due to the ball being inside the box.

Answer 3

the ball goes out along the goal line of one team after someone from the opposing team has touched it

Answer 4

A goal kick is awarded to the defense when the ball completely exits the field across a goal line and was last touched by an attacker.