Question Number: 27118

Law 13 - Free Kicks 1/21/2013

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27108

I need a clarification, please. I thought that if the opponent is less than 9.5m away, that they could only intercept a ball if it was kicked directly at them.

When Ref Contarino says the opponent can't move toward the ball, I picture that as in any direction...i.e. if the ball is kicked 2 meters to the right of such an opponent, they can't intercept by moving to the right, even after the kick is taken.

However, Law 13 seems to say that the opponent can intercept the ball, as long he/she doesn't deliberately attempt to prevent the kick.

Could you clarify this please. Thanks in advance,

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
As long as the player has not moved towards the ball then the referee allows play to continue. Moving to the side is acceptable as it not towards the ball and most times it is away from the ball.
Generally interceptions on a QFK are rare and more likely scenario is the player preventing the kick and moving towards the ball.
Most QFKs are shots at goal and the kicker by taking it quickly accepts the outcome based on the position of the players at the time of the kick. By its nature defenders rarely if ever move laterally and the ball is usually played directly at the player or very close.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Remember that once the ball has been kicked, the opponent is free to move wherever she would like. (Just like after a PK has been taken, the goalkeeper can move forward, but not until then.)

So the only movement we are worried about is that which happens before the ball is kicked, and generally immediately before the kick. If the defender moves toward the ball as the kicker is making her approach, that's when we will be making the call. Very few players will move laterally.

If the defender doesn't move toward the ball and is able to intercept it, then the kicker has given her a gift.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The way I see it is that if the player moves to block the ball before it's kicked, then they're guilty of failing to retire the required distance - doesn't matter if they move towards the ball, across the path to move to where they think it's going to be kicked, or even raising a leg.

As soon as the ball has been kicked, they can then approach it as they like, because the attacking team has assumed that risk be taking the QFK.

Of course, expect argument to ensue when that happens.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Phil. Always good to hear from you and I'm sorry I wasn't more clear.

If the attackers elect to take a quick free kick, it is true they forfeit the right to have the opponents 10 yards from the ball before it's kicked. But...... if a defending opponent moves toward the ball before it's kicked in an effort to decrease the distance even more, and the ball then comes to him, that's an offense.
I wasn't clear that this movement had to take place before the ball is kicked. Once the ball has been kicked, the opponents are free to move anywhere they like including towards the ball