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Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


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Question Number: 17311

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/14/2007

RE: Select Under 13

thomas Stutesman of St. Charles, il usa asks...

When attacking team gets a direct kick on the final third, I always have my players form a wall, with the help of the goalie to direct it. It seems to me that the ref has always allowed the defending team time to set their wall before allowing the kick. Today in a game, the ref allowed play within seconds after the foul, the wall was not set and the goalie was still telling players where to stand, this was not a huge amount of time, 3 or 5 seconds. What is the call here, does the goalie have a few seconds to set the defense for the direct or can play start while they are still trying to org themselves. (Within reason)

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

When your team commits a foul they have broken the laws. As punishment, the opposition is entitled to have a freely taken kick, and by freely I mean they can do just about whatever they want to. The only right your team has is to stand in space on the field that is not within 10 yards of the ball's location on the free kick.

A quickly taken kick is not only a smart play, but it is highly encouraged by coaches at the top levels of the game, and it is supported by referees who understand the game. So long as the attackers have not asked the referee to intervene in the game then the attackers may take the kick while your team is unprepared to defend it. And GOOD for them for doing so, if you show a tactical weakness, they should be permitted to exploit it.

So the referee was correct here. The attackers may take the kick at ANY time they see fit and you are not entitled to set up a defense.

So, don't foul lest the other team punish you.



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Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The defense has no right to any time to set up a wall! The reason for the free kick is that your team broke the Law - why should you be allowed any time to try and defend? The attackers may choose to ask the referee for what is known as a ceremonial free kick, where the referee sets the wall, etc. but this is usually because the attacking team has a set play they wish to execute. The referee may have to step in and set up such a kick if the defense is ignoring their duty to retire the 10 yards and are interfering with the attackers right to a quick kick, but in such cases the referee may choose to remind them of this duty by issuing a caution for failing to retire the distance. So, in short, no, it is not reasonable for the goalie to be given a few seconds to set a wall. He may have time to do so, but had best be prepared just in case he doesn't.



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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Coach, we need to be absolutely clear on this. When your team commits a foul, they have NO ZERO ZILCH NADA rights at all! Why would any referee further disadvantage a team that had been fouled by allowing the culprits committing the foul to form a wall? the "right" to a wall is a myth. When a team is awarded a free kick they may take that kick as soon as they like. the referee must do nothing to delay the taking of the kick unless asked. The team COMMITTING the foul MUST give the 10 yards immediately. On the flip side, when your team is awarded a free kick they may take advantage of a quick restart also. Keep in mind, that if you take a quick kick you forfeit the right to the 10 yards but the defenders still MUST be retreating and may not turn around and interfere with the ball unless they are 10 yards away



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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Thomas in answer to your question I'll ask some others.

Why is it you insist in having time to get ready for a free kick awarded to your opponents after your team has committed foul play and harmed the opponents?

Why is it you feel compelled to wonder why a referee allows the team, to which he has just awarded a free kick, to take that kick at their discretion?

Why is it when a team must use foul play to defeat an opponent's attacking play they feel slighted if not given enough time to get behind the ball and organize a defense before the free kick is taken?

Hmmmm...



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Ask a Follow Up Question to Q# 17311
Read other Q & A regarding Law 13 - Free Kicks

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 17398

See Question: 17476

See Question: 17483

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