Question Number: 25692

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/31/2011

RE: Rec. Adult

Bob McCarthy of Wellington, FL U.S.A. asks...

During a DFK restart the Player taking the kick has his foot on the top of the ball. The Referee mover the wall back and blows his whistle. The attacking player removes his foot from the ball to take the kick the ball does not move. Is the ball live at this point?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The ball is not in play until it is kicked and it moves. While using the bottom of the foot to "kick" is OK, the ball must move some perceivable distance, "from here to there".

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Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee must have a feel for the game because there is a small difference between using the foot to adjust the spot of the ball before kicking and just kicking the ball. If the ball does not move at all, however, it is not in play.

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Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
Some players have a habit of positioning the ball for a corner kick or a free kick with the sole of the foot. By doing that they are not putting the ball in play but simply positioning it.
For the ball to be put into play it must be kicked and moved which is more than removing a foot from the top of the ball.

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