Question Number: 18913

Law 13 - Free Kicks 4/28/2008

RE: Select Under 16

Lee of S. Ok., B.C. Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17419

Hi, I've just gone thru, read & absorbed most of these previous 'free kick' questions & answers looking for a scenario similar to what I encountered in my U15 boys match yesterday. I've definitely learned more and this question 17419 is somewhat relevant to my query.

Upon reflecting back on the couple of dozen games I've recently reffed this spring (high school girls, recr & select youth), I remember being asked only about 3 times for requested ceremonial free kicks. "10 yds please ref", so I think that my being more proactive this yr with verbals enforcing proper retreats have been effective. I've also cautioned a number of rushers, or ignorers, and a couple of defenders who have purposely kicked the ball away instead of back to FK kicker @ spot.

So yesterday, foul occurs a few yards outside the top of penalty arc. As with previous free kicks awarded to both teams in the first 2/3s of this game....I whistle, give direction, point to the spot. I scan/look for retreating defenders' positions and once happy with their quick retreat & distance (looked like 13+ yds to me this time)I back-pedaled to side of gathering in prep for their kick. "Ref, can we have 10 yds?" I was tempted to tell the kicker to 'get on with it, the wall is over 10 yds away', but instead I believe I said; "The defenders look well back from 10 yards but if you want a count, you will wait for my whistle before kicking!" As I headed back to the spot, one of them picks up the ball. He passes me the ball, I place it back down & tho as I said I haven't had to do many marches this year, I figured something was up and measured stepping backwards, watching the kicker(s). Sure enough the defenders' wall was at least 2 yds+ behind my 10 yd count & they chose not to move their wall forward to meet my distance. I once again held up my whistle as I retreated to my side spot while still watching the wall & kicker(s). A kicker then picks up the ball again & moves it a yard & a 1/2 towards the goal & wall. I say loudly "NO!" I come back over & tell them "you cannot move the ball that far forward once the distance has been measured" "ya, but I wanted to place it myself" says the player.

Okay guys/gals: a bunch of things went thru my head about unsporting behavior, dissent, delaying the restart of play & such but I could not quickly think of what consequence or explanation should have been applied with these shenanigans or 'tactics'. (they were losing 4-0 at the time)

Should I have replied (from my vantage 15-20 yds away) to their initial counting request; "The defenders ARE at least 10 yds away, go ahead with your kick" or is that not proper protocol/procedure?

Thanks for your insights into any missed moments of truth for my future handling of such situations.

One more thing to bounce off you all, tho this probably belongs in fouls/misconducts or PK category:

First 2 minutes of same game, attacker is running forward with ball, just outside penalty arc he passes to his onside winger, then calls for it back (give & go). As he enters the penalty area & is looking left for the pass back, his opponent marker intently eyes him up (ball is 15+ yds away)and takes a couple of steps backwards into the oncoming attacker (looks like trying to impede/obstruct) but stops him cold; full charge/hold/push . I whistle & point at PK mark. Defender's team goes ballistic claiming it should only be an indirect cuz it was impeding. I inform them to line up outside of the penalty area and explained to their captain that the PK was earned when his teammate unfairly charged the opponent, making full contact. Charging is a direct free kick offense and since within his team's penalty area, a penalty kick resulted. I learned from my first assessment a few years ago that once contact has been made during impeding,(ball not within playing distance)it should be upgraded to a hold, push or charge. When watching pro level play, backing up into guys full force only seems to net an impeding/indirect, if that. How was my thinking/process on that PK?

Thanks again, Lee

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

First scenario: You opened your own door for trouble by suggesting that you "march it off" for the player. So, because of that, he kept toying with you. Technically, you could caution UB (bringing the game into disrepute) and show the yellow card. But, you started it. Don't give a player that kind of option. If he asks for 10, and you think he already has it, then just say, "you've got your 10, put it in play." Blow your whistle to make the point and get on with the match. If the player continues to insist, then you can still fall back on cautioning the unruly gent and showing him the yellow card, but it's a much "cleaner" way to go. You didn't give him options to argue, he took them.

Second scenario: Impeding progress becomes holding upon physical contact and therefore a direct free kick. Your scenario doesn't describe whether the pass was ever made to this player? I wonder if it was? and if so, I can see making a call for a foul. If it wasn't, what was the outcome of the play and how did the foul affect this outcome?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. As a rule, you should never march off the 10 yards. By doing that you tell the world you don't know what 10 yards really is. In this instance I think it best you had said the opponents were at least 10 yards away and get on with the kick. 2. You are absolutely correct. When full contact occurs as you describe, impeding elevates to holding. I'd disagree with your explanation that this was somehow a careless charge.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

My friend Gil Weber has an excellent comeback when teams whine about the distance of a wall (this works only when the distance set is in fact a good distance). If it is the attacking team complaining as they are here, one can smile and say "Of course! " and move the wall up two yards. Or, one can do the opposite when the defense complains, and agreeably move them back another 2 yards or so toward their goal. It certainly does cut down on the silliness, but one small caveat - the referee had better be a very good judge of at least 10 yards. Or, as my colleagues suggest, if you are certain the wall is at least 10 yards, blow the whistle to start. You are not required to march off the distance, only to assure that the defenders are at least 10 yards away, IN YOUR OPINION. If one is feeling a bit peeved, one could, at the next free kick for this team (especially if they want to take a quick kick) blow your whistle to halt matters, and conduct a full-blown ceremonial free kick. Now maybe they'll remember their manners and whose in charge - but either way, I'll wager they will NOT mess with you during free kicks again.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Remember when the defense is at fault the required distance is "at least" 10 yards which can very easily become more, when the attack is moaning "at least" 10 yards is exactly 10 yards. Enforcing the required distance MUST begin on the first free kick and that is the kick off. Let someone bust that distance before the ball is kicked and moved forward and I'm getting involved right now. The involvement is usually a stern look and a redo but may be me putting my foot on the encroacher's foot and not moving it until the ball is in play. That usually gets many more laughs than gripes and has worked every time I've used it. Anyway it sets the precedent, I'm concerned about encroachment, take heed...

Regards,