Question Number: 27117

Law 13 - Free Kicks 1/20/2013

RE: Rec Other

Daniel Blackman of Oakland, California USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27072

I've read the FIFA laws and I just can't find the part about 'ceremonial' free kicks. I don't see anything about a referee's duty to 'set the wall' or pacing off ten yards. By my reckoning, there are no fewer than seven locations on a properly lined pitch that mark off 10 yards.

I understand we want some consistency among referees, so if everybody else is doing it, so should I.

But I would kind of like to have some justification in the law to support my actions.

It seems straightforward to me: I award a free kick: if a defender prevents a quick free kick, then I caution for delay of play; if a defender is within 10 yards when the kick is taken, then I caution for failing to give 10 yards. And if the infringement seems trifling, then I do nothing and let play continue.

Where does the Law suggest otherwise?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Daniel
There are three references in the Laws of the Game on this
'' 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.''
'' If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is near the ball deliberately prevents him taking the kick, the referee must caution the player for delaying the restart of play.''
'' The whistle is needed to:
? restart play for:
? free kicks when the appropriate distance is required''

Thats what the Law book says. So in effect that is managed by allowing the kicking team to put the ball back into play at its discretion as quickly as possible. The referee should not intervene unless the kick has been prevented which can be a strong word and or a caution depending on the circumstances.
The referee also intervenes when the kicking team requests help in dealing with opponents infringing on the minimum distance. In both instances the restart is then on the whistle when everything is to the satisfaction of the referee and that includes the pacing off to satisfy the kicking team that the 10 yards has been adhered to.
Where a player who was in the area close to the ball at the time of the kick and a QFK is intercepted by that player then the referee must allow play to continue.
So as you see it is not as straightforward as you stated and each situation is different ranging from blatant to trifling to no offence. The good referee manages these situations carefully and deals early with setting the tone on encroachment.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Daniel. Since you are a USSF Referee, also look at page 70 in Advice To Referees which outlines when a referee is to make a free kick ceremonial and step off and manage a wall

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The law book is deliberately thin. FIFA has adopted Interpretations and Guidance that provide assistance to referees. In addition, the USSF has published a position paper on managing free kicks.

The basic principal is that the kicking team is entitled to BOTH a quick free kick and to the ten yard distance. FIFA has answered that if the kicker elects to take a quick free kick knowing that the opponent is less than ten yards away, the kicker cannot complain if the ball strikes or is intercepted by the opponent. Only if the opponent does something more (jumping, rushing the paper, sticking out a leg, etc) should play be stopped and the opponent cautioned.

So, the better guideline for the referee is to use voice and presence early in the match to ensure that ten yards is honored. When players run and stand in front of the ball to prevent a quick free kick, caution them. If an opponent is less than ten yards, watch and see. If the kicking team wants the distance, hold up the restart and tell the kicking team to wait for the whistle. Enforce the distance. Whistle for the kick. If the kicking team wants a quick free kick, let them. Watch the opponent. If the opponent makes no further effort to disrupt the kick, allow play to continue. If the opponent does something and makes contact with the ball, stop play, caution, and order a rekick.