Question Number: 1971

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

RE: U12

Mike Feldman of Indianapolis, Indianaq asks...

I have two questions. What are the penalties that generally bring about a Direct Free Kick and where in the penalty area does a foul have to occur to award a penalty kick and what fouls bring a penalty kick award? Thanks for your help. Mike Feldman in Indiana

Answer provided by Referee Lamb

DFK are: Hitting, Spitting, Kicking, Jumping at an opponent, Charing, Tripping, Pushing, Dangerous Tackle, Handling the ball, and Holding. If you commit any of these fouls inside your own Penalty area, then a PK is awarded to the other team. Hope this helps.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
trips or attempts to trip an opponent
jumps at an opponent
charges an opponent
strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
pushes an opponent
A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player
commits any of the following four offences:

tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball
holds an opponent
spits at an opponent
handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).
A direct free kick is taken from where the offence occurred