Question Number: 26353

Law 13 - Free Kicks 5/18/2012

RE: Rec/Select/Competetive Under 17

Tom S of Lincoln, MA USA asks...

On a restart after a foul, if players who are 10 yards away move towards the kick but do not seem to interfere, could this be trifling? What is the best way to prevent this from happening/escalating? A verbal warning as play continues? And what if they are within the 10 yards when the other team chooses a quick restart: can they move laterally to try to intercept a pass? They can't move towards the kicker at the last second? If so, how would you handle this? (especially if they try but do not end up interfering with the restart, so that the quick restart still yields an advantage for the kicking team).
And what of the players who stand over the ball to prevent a quick kick. This seems pretty blatant - what is the best way to handle this at the various levels: beginner youth, competetive youth, 18 y.o., and adult - Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tom
Encroachment that has no effect on play is considered 'trifling' and only the referee can judge that. If the free kick is taken and the ball sails over the wall as intended then IMO play should continue.
The best way to manage this is to advise the players in the wall not to encroach before the ball is kicked and in play. A simple "Wait for the kick" will will suffice. If it happens and it has an effect on play then the referee orders the retake. If the trifling encroachment happens and the referee allows play to continue then my advice is to not get involved with players and only highlight it at the next free kick if there is one.
On the QFK the attacking team accept the situation as presented and if the ball strikes an opponent then play continues. What should not be allowed is where a defender sees the QFK and he advances towards the ball to prevent the kick or block it. That is a retake and perhaps a caution if it is done blatantly.
On the standing over the ball, the best advice is for the referee to step in at the 1st free kick and speak in a public way to the player that he is not to run in front of the ball to prevent the free kick. He has probably been instructed by his team coach to do this. So he gets a verbal public warning and the next offender gets a caution for doing it. There may be times when the attacking team are unsure of what it wants to do on the free kick and it might motion to restart but it is clear that it doesn't. That situation can be managed by a call to the opponent to move back. I would also be careful of the attempt by the kicking team to draw a caution by kicking the ball aimlessly at an opponent. That again can be managed by having a word with both players.