Question Number: 17419

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/21/2007

RE: Competive Adult

Hosam Salem of Alexandria, NaN Egypt asks...

Dear Sirs,

I just have a question about Free-Kicks.

Can the player having the free-kick move the ball backwards (towards his goal) using his hand before taking the free-kick?

Or he must shoot the ball from the place when the fault is happened only?

The player may see that the defensive wall of the other team is not 10 yards far form the ball, so, he chooses to go back by himself.

I know that my question may be a weird one, but, it is an important one for me.

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

No it is not weird; if a referee fails to ensure the ten yards are not respected by the opponents we can expect the players to adjust their tactics accordingly. That said the ball is supposed to be from the point of infraction although whether it must be a blade of grass is open for debate.

I do wish we could get it through to all referees it is a ten yard MINIMUM that opponents MUST withdraw, there is no maximum. If forced to set the wall the yardage it is generally at 11 or 12. If we have to keep setting the wall because the fouled team keeps having to request our intervention we could get to 14 or 15 yards.
10 yards NOW gentlemen! In ALL directions!

The degree in latitude of a restart location on free kicks is relative to how close it is to the attacking goal. The closer we get the greater the reason the SPOT of the infringement is a blade of grass much like a PK that occurs directly on the penalty mark.

Players will adjust the ball slightly with the little spin out tosses or try to roll it about with the foot. In a quick restart a player may choose to spot a ball left or right of the exact spot so as to be able to get around a nearby opponent. Now a referee can be strict and not allow it or if the players accept it as trivial thus a referee consider it doubtful and see no reason to intercede. It really boils down to is it truly FAIR? And is justice served?

If a referee SPECIFICALLY says "Leave the ball alone it does not move from here !", if he is ceremonially restarting, setting the wall and such it is annoying and illegal to have the players move or shift the ball in behind his back. Now it is not a foul to use your hand to reposition the ball, the restart has not yet occurred until the ball is kicked and moved. You can not be deprived of possession but could be warned to leave it or possibly be cautioned and shown a yellow card for dissent, USB, delay the restart, take your pick.

It is our hope that if referees apply the appropriate laws where opponents MUST withdraw quickly and to a minimum of ten yards and caution show the yellow cards to those who think the gamesmanship of tactical delay is somehow ingrained into the mindset we might change this thinking and no little gimmicks to get what you are due is required. The key though if you do reposition the ball to an acceptable spot and the refere is ok with it, that ball must be motionless before you kick it!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The short answer is no. However players move the ball around all the time unless the referee watches carefully. The ball is not in play so using the hands to move the ball is perfectly acceptable.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

No the kick is taken from where the infraction took place or where the laws of the game otherwise specify. No exceptions!

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

See Question: 18913