Question Number: 21941

Mechanics 9/12/2009

RE: U14 Boys Division 1 Under 15

Rob Plaza of Houston, TX USA asks...

A direct kick was awarded on the side just outside the box. The Ref personally placed the ball on the ground and then walked toward the goal indicating where a 3 man defender wall could be placed. The goalie yelled out to his team members to position the three team members appropriately. While this was going on the offensive player rolled the ball several feet sideways. The goalie yelled 'put the ball back'. I'm not sure what the Ref saw, but he said nothing. The offensive player then did his kick.

1) Is the offensive player allowed to move the ball?

2) Some parents speculated that he was adjusting the ball so a certain face of the ball aligned where he liked it for his planned kick. From a practical and physics standpoint, does this matter? Is the kicker allowed to adjust the face of the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

1) The location of the restart is the spot of the foul. As the ball is closer to the opposing goal, referees will be more strict about the location. The exact blade of grass is unnecessary as a few inches left or right won't make a difference. But, the referee should be observant as the wall is set because players will try to gain a yard or two. (There is a legend of the wise referee who knew both teams always cheated on kicks. He placed the ball a yard behind where it should be, and moved the wall a yard further than it should be and then smiled as each moved a yard closer.)

2) Yes.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The Keeper has no input of consequence although pointing it out to the inattentive referee might create some commotion. Usually player advice is shunted to the back burner as non essential mumbling!
If the referee was allowing latitude it could be because in his opinion, the restart is off to the side and far enough away as to be meaningless or trifling in placement . The kicker if permitted to place the ball within reason the referee must acknowledge the restart is correct in law.
Although National policy does differ slightly throughout the world the basics need to be adhered to!
Those that take free kicks get to be pretty good and in my opinion, if we are ceremonially restarting while the the kicker is rolling the ball 3 yards about on free kicks in and around scoring areas the referee is doing poorly in the mechanic and positioning department.

When setting the free kick parameters and the free kick becomes ceremonial the referee should IMMEDIATELY indicate to both teams that it will be a whistled restart . The kicker told with eye contact by the referee the ball is to remain at the point of the infraction and no go until the whistle . ASK, "Do you understand? An affirmative head nod is sufficient if a yes sir is not received. Some referees backward pace, some use disappearing foam to mark the spot and the line at the wall, others incorporate the AR more, all incorperate strong body language and character to make a point.

A major point to consider is if the restart spot is not vital we can allow some latitude after all the team that fouled got their way and stopped the attack no reason to push everything their way now is there?

However, exact blade of grass status not withstanding, a ball positioned even as little as 6 inches away from where it was originally after a wall was set by the referee can be the difference of the ball getting to goal, in the goal or over or by the wall! The closer we are to a scoring position the more attentive we need to be about the restart location and somewhat fussy on the needed mechanics and proceedures surrounding the circumstances.

ON the free kick the referee should permit the player to place his ball! I disagree with the referee placing it himself. Once the player places the ball the referee can choose to acquiesce and restart or the referee could demand it be placed closer to where it must be then restart !!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. The free kick is to take place from the spot of the foul not 3 feet away.
2. Yes, the player taking the kick may reposition the ball but should not be allowed to move it