Question Number: 25991

Law 13 - Free Kicks 2/22/2012

RE: 5 Adult

tony sharrock of lincoln, lincolnshire united kingdom asks...

Goal kicks have to clear the penalty area before its in play what about offsides in the penalty box and free kicks to the defending side do they have to clear the penalty box before they are in play . thankyou.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Tony,

When you have a query on the laws of the game, I would strongly urge not only you, but all officials, to first consult the Laws of the Game to seek an answer.

This is important as the more often you consult our most important document, the more familiar you are with it. You will carry this familiarity onto the pitch, thus presenting yourself as a more professional, more capable, and more knowledgeable official.

In my first year of referees I actually reviewed a different chapter of the laws each week before my games. As I was being paid to apply the laws, I figured it only made sense to learn the laws as much as possible.

The answer to your query lies on pages 39 and 40 of the LOTG:

Free kick inside the penalty area
Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team:
? all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball
? all opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
? the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area
? a free kick awarded in the goal area may be taken from any point inside
that area

Infringements and sanctions
If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required
distance:
? the kick is retaken

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tony
One of the myths that exist in the game and a law that many players do not know.
On any kicked restart inside the penalty area the ball must leave the penalty area for it to be in play.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

EVERY free kick leaving the penalty area must completely clear the penalty area before it is in play. If the ball is played/touched by any player before it leaves the penalty area, the kick must be retaken. The referee is part of the field. If the ball hits the referee before leaving the penalty area but continues and does leave the penalty area, it is then in play

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The answers to your questions are in Law 13, Free Kicks. The restart from an offside call is a free kick, so it is covered there as well.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Incidentally, the wording in Law 13 is almost identical to that in Law 16. Why does almost everybody know the ball must clear the penalty area on a goal kick to be in play, but so few seem to know it on free kicks?