Question Number: 14875

Mechanics 2/21/2007

RE: N/A Adult

Marvyn H of JHB, Gauteng S.A. asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14262

With free kicks, when can it be taken quickly and when must the player wait for the ref to blow his whistle first?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes, all free kicks can UNLESS THE REFEREE STOPSPLAY PRIOR TO THE KICK. Referees are instructed to allow the quick kick, but when referee needs to admin a caution or sendoff, then HE must restart play. Also, on PKS referee must signal and also on kick offs.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

OK, what game did I miss where someone took a quick free kick?

As stated, the kick can be taken unless the ref tells the team to wait for his whistle so he can deal with something before the restart.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

14873 and 14874 are also questions you can look up for additional info.
Hi Marvin, as long as referee does not indicate by his actions that an ongoing play restart WILL be a whistle restart it does not have to be.
There are only a few spots where we must whistle /SIGNAL play in, the start of the game and pks are the two that come to mind as well as any stoppage where I will caution or send off a player. If the attacking team. Recently it has become a point of contention as to what constitutes a referee indicating we are into a ceremonial restart where play will whistled back in to recommence play? There is this mistaken idea just because a team asks or a referee asks for ten yards to be respected it somehow allows the defending team the right to regroup and organize.

When a referee has decided the restart will be ceremonial he will indicate to the ATTACKING Team that their quick restart is not possible by indicating they are to WAIT for the whistle in a clear action and manne rwhich leaves no doubt to those watching.

The referee will not interact with the defending wall by repositioning them or pacing off ten yards as these are the normal actions which follow a referee telling the attacking kicker he must wait for a whistle and the referee by his actions will lull the defenders into expecting a whistle restart.

The referee indicates by action holding the whistle up pointing to it SAYING wait for the whistle do not move the ball waving his hand in a stopping motion only then is he obligated to blow his whistle to restart play!

I am adamant though just because a referee comes to the attacker and talks, it is NOT a quarantee of a whistled restart nor is asking defenders to respect ten yards when I come running in to chase away the defending groupies around the ball. While we can caution for faialure to respect ten yards or delaying a restart by those defenders who do not withdraw far or fast enough the defenders have no rights to expect anything, especially more time to regroup and defend after THEY cheated, THEY fouled, THEY stopped the play unfairly!

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

ALL free kicks may be taken immediately unless the referee blows his whistle or otherwise stops play. The defending team has no right to form a wall. The kicking team may ask for the 10 yards but never the defenders. Remember, the defending team committed a foul. This foul has already disadvantaged the kicking team, that's why they were given a free kick. The defending team may not further disadvantage the kicking team, despite wht you might hear players/coaches/announcers say.