Question Number: 27586

Law 13 - Free Kicks 7/9/2013

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27571

I'm somewhat confused by the two answers, as they seem to differ. My understanding, from past answers & Referee Dennis Wickham's answer, is that the opponent who is closer than 10 yards can not make any movement to intercept the QFK.

Referee Joe McHugh's answer allows more leeway for the defender.

So let me ask this. If, as referee, you felt that the defender was deliberately staying closer than 10 yards (waiting to see if the ref will move him/her back (or if attacker will ask), would you be justified in not letting the opponent move at all? On the other hand, if ITOOTR, the opponent just was standing & didn't really have an opportunity to move back (e.g. back had been turned at the foul & the kick came quickly), would you allow the opponent some latitude? After all, it's difficult to just stand there & let a slow kick roll by you.

I'm just trying to find a common ground between the two answers.

Thanks again,

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Phil,

This is a tricky scenario, and it largely comes down to the referee's interpretation of the laws and the situation.

The laws say an opponent cannot prevent a quick kick being taken, but if a quick kick is intercepted, then that's the bad luck of the attacking team.

Generally speaking, my view is that if the defender moves (say, sticks a leg out to block, or moves across to intercept) before the ball is kicked, then he's preventing the kick and is asking for a card. If he moves immediately after the kick, then it's an intercept after the attack has accepted the risk of his presence, and that's fine.

What gets really tricky is when there's some attempt to delay the kick - player stands there for a few moments (but not too long), then the attacker kicks it straight at him to draw a card .

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
The answer depends on the referee's interpretation of intercepting and preventing the kick being taken.
Certainly moving towards the ball is preventing but if a player simply moves his leg to the side that is IMO intercepting.
I had a situation recently where at a free kick an attacker did not see an opponent some 5/6 yards behind a team mate and he took a QFK towards another team mate which the opponent quickly moved on to and intercepted the ball. The opponent did not come towards the kicker and he simply moved at right angles onto the ball. That was just an IDFK gone wrong. The kicker could have asked for the free kick to be ceremonial but chose not to plus if a player decides to take a QFK and an opponent is well back but still within the 10 yards I see no problem in him moving up and to the side to intercept. What would not be allowed if the defender being allowed to advance towards the ball to narrow the angle to intercept.

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