Question Number: 27424

Law 13 - Free Kicks 5/12/2013

RE: Rec Under 12

Alyson Marcus of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvan United States of America asks...

While reffing how do you determine if a penalty kick, a indirect kick, or a direct kick is needed and how do you choose which one to give?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alyson
Foul recognition is one of the key roles of a referee. You should read Law 12 thoroughly and endeavour to understand what is meant by each foul term.
http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/refereeing/law_12_fouls_misconduct_en_47379.pdf
If any of the ten penal fouls outlined in Law 12 happens inside the penalty area a penalty kick is awarded.
Then there are for Law 12 'technical' fouls which result in an indirect free kick. No penalty can be awarded for a 'technical' foul

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Alyson,

This is covered under Law 12. I would advise reading this law repeatedly - learn it as well as you can, and if you read it enough times you'll have memorised which offence is which.

That law tells you which fouls are direct free kicks and which are indirect free kicks.

A direct free kick committed by the defence inside their own penalty area is a penalty kick. An indirect free kick remains indirect.

If you have any further questions around Law 12, then don't hesitate to ask further.