Question Number: 27006

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/11/2012

RE: Select Under 15

Ross Bryant of London, Kent England asks...

1) When is the only time opponents do not have to be 9.15 meters away at the taking of a free kick ?

2) If a player throws the ball at the back of an opponent what does the ref do ?

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ross
At a quick free kick not all opponents need to be 9.15 metres from the ball. If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball intercepts it, the referee must allow play to continue. Also at an indirect free kick inside the penalty area which is less than ten yards from the goal line the opponents only have to retreat as far as the goal line
If your question is regarding a throw in the referee should allow play to continue. The Laws state that if a player, while correctly taking a throw-in, intentionally throws the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball again but neither in a careless nor a reckless manner nor using excessive force, the referee must allow play to continue.
If however your question refers to violent conduct with the ball used as a missile with excessive force then the player is dismissed.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Are these test questions?
1. When the attackers are awarded an IDFK inside the opposing penalty area and the ball is closer than 10 yards from the goal line. The defenders may form a wall ON the goalline if this happens.
2. Depends how hard the ball was thrown ( I assume this is a throw-in). Could be anything from no foul continue play to a red card.