Question Number: 25669

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/26/2011

RE: AYSO Under 17

Tyler Slobom of Devore, ca United States asks...

hello again. in the same game that my player smacked the refs hand i had another incident. the AR raised his flag for offside so the ref blew his whistle. my goalie quickly grabbed the ball and placed it choosing to take a quick kick. as he took his kick, one of the opposing team players ran and jumped in to block the ball. he then trapped the ball and shot on goal which he scored because the goalie was out of the box taking his free kick. now according the USSF advice to referees it clearly states in short ' if a player chooses to take a quick kick the opposing team does not have to move 10 yards. but it does say if the player can trap the ball WITHOUT MOVING TOWARD IT then it is legal'. without moving toward it catches my eye. since the player jumped toward the ball and managed to deflect it wouldn't that be a retake of the kick and issue the player a caution for unsporting behavior? looking forward to your responses'.
tyler

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

If the player moves towards the ball and is within the 10 yards before it's kicked then you're right, it should be a retake and a caution for the player.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tyler
The matter is a decision for the referee based on whether the ball was intercepted or whether the kick was prevented from being taken.

If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than 10 yds from the ball intercepts it, the referee must allow play to continue.
If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is near the ball deliberately prevents him taking the kick, the referee must caution the player for delaying the restart of play.
From what you describe I believe that the player's movement and jumping towards the ball is preventing the kick and it should be a retake.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the kick has been taken, you forfeit the right to 10 yards. But from what you describe, I believe the kick had not been taken and the opponent's movement towards the kicker constituted an infringement