Question Number: 19716

Law 13 - Free Kicks 8/10/2008

RE: Competitive Adult

Ben Gochnauer of Kansas City, MO 64063 asks...

We recently had a discussion with several different opinions regarding indirect restarts. I allowed a play to restart with a simple touch on top of the ball, the next touch was a shot on goal which resulted in a goal. One of my ARs questioned if the ball moved. I said it does not have to, it only has to be touched. He believes the ball must actually move.

Thoughts?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I dislike the explanation of either you or your AR to be honest!
The ball must be KICKED (not touched) and moved!

To SOME extent if the touch occurs and the defenders break forward imediately accepting that touch as a kicking motion a referee might allow it as sufficent since both teams accept it as the ball is in play!

In truth the ball MUST move, placing a foot on the ball hardly constitutes a kick!

While almost any touch with the foot could cause a ball to quiver or wobble it is an accepted belief that the ball must be moved via a kicking action as in moving from here to there.

One cannot rest a foot on the ball and step on, gently tap it or take the foot away claiming a touch because
(1) it is not a kicking action
(2)the opposition are allowed to immediately close down the distance from the ball at the first touch, thus they will respond to any such action even if only to steady or reposition the ball.

The ball can be kicked hard or gently with any part of the foot, heel, toe ,side etc.. even the sole BUT during a sole roll, the sole can not keep contact with the ball as the ball moves. That again is more a repositioning motion not a kick.

The simple fact is there must be discernable movement of the ball in here to there and the kicking motion must be clear in the opinion of the referee!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The end of any argument about the Laws of the Game in US Soccer is Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game, in this case:

13.5 BALL IN PLAY

The ball is in play (able to be played by an attacker other than the kicker or by an opponent) when it has been kicked (the foot is used to direct the ball) and moved (caused to go from one place to another), with the result that the ball rolls from 'here' to 'there.' Merely touching the ball is not enough; nor is simply causing the ball to shake or quiver.

Ben you have made an error in Law and if protested the match should be declared invalid and replayed. This is a common mistake many referees make and it all started when one referee thought tapped and wiggled was fine with them. Prior to 1997 the mall must have been kicked and moved the distance of its circumference and this was way too hard for most referees. In offering a simple 'kicked and moved' FIFA thought things would be easier to understand -- things weren't.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Ben, somebody in your area is doing a really poor job of updating and getting new information to you at the local level. Things have changed! No longer does a mere touch of the ball constitute 'kicked and moves'. I would strongly recommend you and all your fellow referees download a copy of Advice at the US Soccer site and also buy a hard copy to keep in your bag. In the good old days they used to include a copy at every recertification to make sure ALL USSF referees were up to date. Now we have to pay for it but it's money well spent.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Tapping the ball is not sufficient. Ball must be kicked and it must move to be in play. As my colleagues have stated, this game could be protested.

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

See Question: 19742

See Question: 19765