Question Number: 21971

Law 1- The Field 9/14/2009

RE: Club Play Under 12

Ken McMahon of Dublin, OH USA asks...

What is the distance required on a free kick on fields that are 40x60 or 50x80 fields that use a center circle of less than 10 yards. A local director of instruction has always indicated that the center circle dictates the distance not only on the kickoff free kick, but also all other free kicks as well. But, I have also been by another referee that the size of the center circle is irrelevant -- the required distance is always 10 yards. If this is the case, do you make players stand 2 yards behind the center circle arc or penalty spot arc? Please advise. Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Many league's set rules for short sided matches that reduce the distance on free kicks. The size of the center circle often is an indication of the distance set by the local rules. (But, sometimes the person lining the field makes a mistake.)

I always use even a mis-marked center circle at kick-offs. My experience is that the difference is trifling, and trying to move players back for each kickoff reduces playing time without providing much benefit.


YMMV

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

One field I went to had a half-size circle on it. Those responsible obviously had difficulty with the concept of diameter vs radius. When I pointed out that the circle was little-kid sized, no one had a problem standing back from it. No, we didn't have a well-marked line, but we used our judgement. So you can't always use lines exactly as they are painted. (I reported it; the next time I was there it was correct.) But sometimes the players just have to do corner kicks only 2 feet from the pole, because that's what's drawn. And often those mis-sized arcs are really triangles.

Most small-sided rules that I have seen, in addition to changing the size of the field and its internal markings, have changed the distance required on free kicks. If they don't, then you go with 10 yards. But if the center circle is appropriate for the reduced size of the field (20% or 40% reductions noted above), I will use that circle for kickoff distances, regardless of whether the rules have modified free kick distances.

You'd never see mismarked fields like this at professional games, and if it comes up in high-level games like State Cup, you should question whether it is enough of a discrepancy to justify not playing the game.

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

See Question: 21995