Question Number: 24121

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/10/2010

RE: SAY Under 13

Mike Due of Reading, oh usa asks...

I once granted an indirect kick to a team just outside the 18 box. The way they executed the kick was to have one player (A) back up about 10 behind the ball, and have another player (B) stand next to the ball. Then, at my whistle, player B tapped the ball a few feet to his right as player A came running up and took a shot on goal (and scored). In essence, they found a way to turn an indirect kick into a direct kick by having the second touch take place one second after the first touch. Did I do the right thing by allowing the goal?
It seems to me this should not be allowed. For example, I know the defending team must remain 10 yards away from the kicker on a free kick...but does that include the team-mates of the kicker? Shouldn't the offensive players also have to remain 10 yards away, leaving only one person to execute the kick? I have not seen this tactic again, but I've long wanted to get an answer to this in case it happens again.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Absolutely nothing wrong here. The restriction of being 10 yards away applies to the defenders only. Indeed most teams uses this method to restart on an IDFK. Once the ball is kicked by the attacker then the ball is in play and the defenders can close down the shot. Indeed most teams use that as a method to defend this type of indirect free kick restart. The referee has to be aware that the rush does not happen before the ball is kicked.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Law 13 is very clear. On free kicks, only the OPPONENTS must be at least 10 yards away in all directions until the moment the ball is put into play. Teammates can be anywhere they want, including standing in front of the ball until the moment it is kicked by a teammate.

On an IDFK, just like on a DFK, the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves - here accomplished by player B. Player A has every right to play the ball next, as would any opponent fast enough to get there.

The difference between an IDFK and a DFK is the IDFK must be touched by another player other than the kicker, either team, before it can score.

What you saw was a well executed play to take advantage of an IDFK, and I'm very glad you allowed the goal, so that there was no protest.