Question Number: 25930

Law 13 - Free Kicks 1/28/2012

RE: 400level Professional

Peejay of Lagos, Osun state Nigeria asks...

Do they play free kick in the penalty box

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

There are a number of different fouls, some of these result in a direct free kick and some in an indirect free kick. Direct free kick fouls are far more common (though offside is also an indirect free kick offence).

If the defence commits a direct free kick foul inside their own penalty area, the opponents will receive a penalty kick at the penalty spot.

If the defence commits an indirect free kick offence inside their own penalty area, then the opponents receive an indirect free kick where the offence occurred, as they normally would (though if it's inside the goal area it will be taken out to the edge of that area).

If the attacking team commits any sort of foul inside the penalty area, the defence receive their free kick inside the area at the point of the foul, unless it's inside the goal area in which case they can take it from any point inside the goal area, like a goal kick.

When the defence has a direct or indirect free kick inside their penalty area, the ball needs to leave the area before it's in play - that is, before anybody else can touch it (like a goal kick).

I hope that clears things up.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Peejay
The only free kick that is taken inside the penalty area by the attacking team is an indirect free kick. A direct free kick offence inside the penalty area results in a penalty kick. On those kicks the ball is in play which it is kicked and moved.
Both direct and indirect free kicks can be taken by the defending team inside the penalty area. The ball must leave the penalty area on those kicks for the ball to be in play.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

ANY kind of free kick may be played by the defending team coming out of the penalty area.

The attacking team may only play an Indirect Free Kick inside the opponents penalty area since any direct free kick offense results in a penalty kick, not a free kick