Futbol Island

7v7 lesson · Meet the team and restart · Beginner

Goal Kick & Build-Out Line

On our goal kick, the other team waits behind the build-out line. Once the ball is kicked and moves, they can come and press.

What the coach says

  1. This example uses AYSO build-out rules. Other competitions can use different rules; the shared idea is making room to restart and helping the keeper.
  2. Our team has a goal kick. The dashed line across our half sits halfway between the penalty area and the halfway line.
  3. Before this goal kick, where must the blue player move to give our team room?
  4. Blue retreats beyond the line. Our defenders offer routes on either side while the keeper prepares the stationary ball.
  5. A goal kick may go short or beyond the line. Here the left defender is available. Pressure can return once the ball is kicked and clearly moves.
  6. The keeper kicks to the left defender. The ball is now in play; blue does not have to wait for the receiver to touch it.
  7. The kick has been taken. Blue can now cross the line, even though the ball stayed on our side of it.
  8. The same blue player has a new choice now. Does the line still keep them back?
  9. Blue approaches the receiver. Our middle player offers a new angle, because the protected restart has become open play.
  10. The defender passes to midfield before the pressure arrives. Support must continue after the restart.
  11. The keeper may also restart quickly before every opponent retreats, accepting the risk of interception. Waiting gives teammates time to find space.
  12. With the ball held in the keeper’s hands, AYSO also requires retreat. Release from the hands lets opponents cross; an ordinary pass back in open play does not create that protection.
  13. In this AYSO profile the far build-out line also changes the offside boundary. This lesson teaches the goal kick; check your competition before applying these rules.
  14. The midfielder carries into the available angle. The left defender moves up behind to stay connected after the restart.

Quiz questions

Try to answer before you read the coach’s explanation. On the island you answer each one on the pitch.

  1. Question 1

    Where must the blue player retreat before the goal kick?

    • Behind the build-out line, toward halfway
    • Closer to our goalkeeper

    Coach’s explanation: For this AYSO goal kick, opponents must retreat behind the build-out line. The ball is still stationary.

  2. Question 2

    After the goal kick clearly moves, what may blue do?

    • Cross the line to approach the ball
    • Stay behind the line until the ball crosses it

    Coach’s explanation: Under this AYSO profile, the kicked and clearly moving ball releases the opponents. The receiver does not need to touch it first.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? Blue must wait until our defender touches the ball.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's false. Once the kick moves the ball, blue can press.

  4. Question 4

    A goal kick with the build-out line. Put the steps in order.

    • Blue moves back past the line
    • Blue runs in toward our defender
    • Defender passes to midfield
    • Keeper kicks to the left defender

    Coach’s explanation: Blue moves back, we kick, blue runs in, so we pass on.

  5. Question 5

    Before the kick, blue's forward is too close. Where must they go?

    • Beyond the line, toward halfway
    • Closer to our goalkeeper
    • Right on the line

    Coach’s explanation: Blue moves past the line, so we have room to restart.

Play it on the island