GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
Which non-penalty football restarts allow a direct goal, and what if it enters the team’s own goal?
A direct goal is allowed from some restarts but not all. A kick-off, direct free kick, goal kick or corner can score directly against the opponents; from a direct free kick, an own-goal entry instead produces a corner. A throw-in cannot score directly, and an indirect free kick needs another player's touch. A dropped ball needs touches by two different players before a goal can count. The matrix below assumes a lawful restart already in play and no other offence.
For Football fans comparing direct-goal consequences across ordinary non-penalty restarts. · Updated
Read the restart and the direction together
Kick-off: a direct entry into the opponents' goal counts; a direct entry into the kicker's own goal gives the opponents a corner.
Direct free kick: the opponents' goal may be scored directly. A direct entry into the kicker's own goal gives the opponents a corner.
Goal kick or corner: a direct entry into the opponents' goal counts. A direct entry into the kicking team's own goal gives the opponents a corner.
Indirect free kick: a direct entry into the opponents' goal results in a goal kick, while a direct entry into the kicker's own goal results in a corner. If the referee fails to signal that the free kick is indirect and it goes straight into goal, the indirect free kick is retaken.
A throw-in and a dropped ball have different touch tests
A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. If the untouched ball enters the opponents' goal, the restart is a goal kick; if it enters the thrower's own goal, the restart is a corner.
A dropped ball is not a direct-scoring restart. It is in play when it touches the ground, and a goal requires contact by two different players. If it enters either goal before two players have touched it, the result is a goal kick for an opponents' goal or a corner for the team's own goal. Two touches by one player are not two players.
A dropped ball is repeated if a player touches it before it reaches the ground, or if it leaves the field after grounding without touching a player. Those are separate retake conditions.
Keep penalties and other offences separate
This comparison covers non-penalty restarts only. It assumes the restart was lawful and in play, with no intervening touch or separate offence that changes the outcome. Penalties, shoot-outs, second-touch offences and offside exceptions are not part of this matrix.
Which edition this guide uses
Edition note: This guide follows the IFAB's current online Laws of the Game 2026/27, checked 15 October 2026. Circular 32 dates the edition's effect to 1 July 2026. Competitions that had already started may adopt it earlier or no later than their next competition; the adoption of any particular competition is not established here. Circular 34 explains that Circular 33 changes appeared online but missed the printed book's production schedule. This guide uses the current online text and does not claim that each clause is new in 2026/27 or that a trial applies.
A fictional restart comparison
In a fictional match, Blue scores directly against Red from a kick-off, and a later Blue goal kick also travels straight into Red's goal; both are valid direct-goal outcomes. A Red direct free kick later goes straight into Blue's goal and counts; on another Red direct free kick, the ball enters Red's own goal, so Blue receives a corner. A corner later enters Red's goal directly and counts. A Red indirect free kick goes directly into Blue's goal, so the result is a goal kick; in a separate try the referee omitted the indirect signal and the direct entry means the kick is retaken. A throw-in enters the opponents' goal untouched, so there is no goal. Finally, a dropped ball touches one player and then enters a goal without a touch by a second, different player; the goal is not allowed and the direction determines goal kick or corner. Assume each restart was lawfully in play with no intervening touch or other offence. These are stipulated facts.
Related questions
Can a goal kick score directly?
Yes, against the opponents. A direct entry into the kicking team's own goal gives the opponents a corner.
What happens if an indirect free kick goes directly into goal?
An opponents' goal gives a goal kick; an own-goal entry gives a corner. If the referee omitted the indirect signal and the ball goes straight into goal, the kick is retaken.
Can one player touch a dropped ball twice and score?
No. A goal from a dropped ball requires touches by two different players; a second touch by the same player does not satisfy that condition.
Can a throw-in score directly?
No. The direction of the untouched ball decides between a goal kick and a corner.
Sources and further reading
- The IFAB — Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play; 8.1 kick-off goal outcomes; 8.2 complete in-play/re-drop/two-player goal conditions. Current online body checked 2026-10-15; a separate day-level body publication date was not established.
- The IFAB — Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 13: Free Kicks; 13.1 Indirect free kick signal and Ball enters the goal; 13.2 in-play condition. Current online body checked 2026-10-15; a separate day-level body publication date was not established.
- The IFAB — Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 15: The Throw-in; Introduction and 15.1 in-play condition. Current online body checked 2026-10-15; a separate day-level body publication date was not established.
- The IFAB — Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 16: The Goal Kick; Introduction and 16.1. Current online body checked 2026-10-15; a separate day-level body publication date was not established.
- The IFAB — Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 17: The Corner Kick; Introduction and 17.1. Current online body checked 2026-10-15; a separate day-level body publication date was not established.
- The IFAB Circular 32, dated 2026-03-31, p. 3: 2026/27 effective date and transition.
- The IFAB Circular 33, dated 2026-05-19: additional 2026/27 changes, read for edition control.
- The IFAB Circular 34, dated 2026-07-27, pp. 2 and 4: online/printed materials and trial-permission controls.