Question Number: 28434

Law 13 - Free Kicks 5/18/2014

RE: select Under 12

Scott of grand rapids, mi united states asks...

On an indirect kick, does the ball have to move, or is touching it sufficient to start the play?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
The ball has to be kicked and moved at any free kick or kicked restart. Touching it is not sufficient.
The reason for this is that everyone including the referee has to see that the ball is in play with no doubt about it. Some players stand with the foot on the ball or position it with the foot. Moving the foot away is not a kick nor does the ball move.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Scott,

The Laws state 'kicked and moves'. In the past the ball was required to roll its circumference, but this was removed from the laws quite some time ago (some people aren't up-to-date with that change, I've noticed).

Sometimes a player will tap the ball and it will wobble on the spot without moving; I know some referees believe it needs to roll off the spot, but I believe the laws are clear that any visible movement after a touch with the foot is sufficient to put the ball back into play. (Of course, the referee needs to use common sense and recognise if a player is just adjusting the position of the ball.)

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

On any free kick, the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. In the US, 'kicked' is interpreted to require a kicking motion. A simple tap on the top of the ball with the bottom of the foot is not enough to put the ball into play. Any movement will suffice, but the ball must move.