Question Number: 28299

Law 13 - Free Kicks 4/1/2014

RE: select Under 16

Jerry of Charlotte, NC USA asks...

Last Sunday it was so windy that the ball would not remain stationary on free kicks. We were on artificial turf, so it wasn't possible to create a little divot in which to place the ball.

What is the correct procedure? Have someone hold the ball in place (with their foot? with their hand!?) as is sometimes done in American football? Have them get it stationary for a moment, and then just go ahead and play even if it's moving as they kick it?

Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

On a free kick, there is no prohibition from someone holding the ball still with the foot before it is put in play.

But, for a penalty kick, it would not be lawful. If it is so windy that the ball will not say in place, the referee has only two options. Ignore the slight movement of the ball as a trifling, or suspend play. (In most amateur youth matches, ignoring is the better answer.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jerry
Holding the ball in any manner on the ground before a restart is not an issue. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moved so what happens before that does not matter with the one exception of a penalty kick. Only the kicker and the goalkeeper can be inside the penalty area before the kick is taken so it is not possible to hold it in that scenario.
The referee then has two options. Allow slight movement as trifling or suspend / abandon the game.