Question Number: 24107

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/8/2010

RE: Rec Under 13

DougB of Irvine, Ca USA asks...

Regarding a ceremonial free kick.

I understand the rules, I think. The defenders cannot prevent a quick freekick by being too close. This warrants a caution. Possibly a verbal warning or a comment of '10 yards, it's a rule.' or something before giving a caution, especially at U12.

So, my question is more about theory and practice. In what situations would the Attacker request the ceremonial free kick? When would they prefer that over a quick free kick?

I'm just moving up to older ages so I'm trying to prepare for future games. This site is amazingly helpful for this.

Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Doug
It will become obvious to the taker with defenders close and in front of the ball that the QFK is not a viable option then the referee should intervene. He may be asked to do so by the taker with something like 'What about ten yards Ref' 'Can I have 1o yards ref' Once the referee intervenes by moving players, pacing out ten yards it become on the whistle or ceremonial.
USSF advice on free kick management can be viewed at
http://www.ussoccer.com/Referees/Referee-Development/Directives.aspx

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the opponents make a reasonable good-faith effort to respect the distance, then there is no caution. This means much closer to 10 yards than 1 yard. This means moving away from the site of the kick, not toward it.

If for example they set the wall at 8 yards, the kicking team can request for me to intervene. Or they can accept the shorter distance and kick anyway. If the kicking team wants the full distance, the kick becomes ceremonial. Or if the kicking team takes their merry old time getting to the kick, I may make it ceremonial on my own, as they have demonstrated that they are not interested in taking the kick quickly.