Question Number: 25132

Law 13 - Free Kicks 6/24/2011

RE: Under 19

Steven of sydney, nsw australia asks...

On a kick does it have to go forward or just move ?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steven
The Law specifies that a kick off and a penalty kick must be kicked forward. All other kicked restarts can be in any direction.
On defensive free kicks and goal kicks the ball must leave the penalty area for it to be in play. On those it is still possible to kick the ball backwards as long as the ball leaves the penalty area. Rarely if ever happens though.

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Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Most free kicks can go in any direction. Only kickoffs and penalty kicks must go forward.

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