What happens if the ball does not clearly move during a goal kick?

When a goal kick is taken, the rules specify that the ball must move clearly in order to be considered in play. If the ball does not move or does not leave the penalty area, it is regarded as not being in play. This means that the players must not engage with the ball in any way until it has been kicked and clearly moved.

The rationale behind this rule is to ensure that the goal kick is executed properly, allowing the defending team to resume play in a structured manner. If the ball remains stationary, it does not fulfill the requirements set by the Laws of the Game for play to continue, and thus action is halted until the goal kick is correctly taken again. The correct understanding of this rule ensures that all players are aware of the state of play and that goals can be scored only when the conditions are met.