Question Number: 28654

Law 13 - Free Kicks 8/10/2014

RE: recreational Adult

joseph of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

Hi all, i'd like some clarification on DFK to the defending side in their own Penalty box please, I know no attackers are allowed inside The penalty box while the DFK is being taken, But can the DFK be taken anywhere in the box or Must it be taken from the spot of the foul/infringemwent, or am i getting confused with it in the 6 yard area? As per a Goal Kick ?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Joseph
Any defending free kick offence that happens inside the penalty area must be taken from the location of the foul. If it is a free kick to the defending team inside the goal area it can be taken from any location inside the goal area.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The 6 yard goal area is part of the 18 yard penalty area. Inside the goal area the defence can take a goal kick or any free kick from anywhere inside the 6 yard area.

OUTSIDE the goal area but inside the penalty area, ANY defending free kick occurs from the actual point of the infraction - The defenders do not have the right to move the ball to another location but OFTEN on such things as an offside kick that could occur inside the penalty area , great latitude is permitted in the restart location so it could seem that the kick was coming from a different location. In essence the blade of grass restart is only in the attacking third by the opposition where opportunity to score is very real.

On a clearing ball from the defensive third, the blade of grass from the point of the infraction is just not as dangerous .
ANY defending free kick taken from inside the penalty area, must clear the penalty area BEFORE the ball is in play.
The opposition must be clear of the penalty area and STLL be at least ten yards away!
Law 13 Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees
(start quote) "If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own penalty area, one or more opponents remain inside the penalty area because the defender decides to take the kick quickly and the opponents did not have time to leave the penalty area, the referee must allow play to continue." (end quote)
IF the defenders try to rush a free kick out ( they can restart quickly) and opponents are still in the area or closer than ten yards and the defenders muck the kick, it is play on my friend but only if the ball had left the penalty area first otherwise, the kick is retaken.
law 13 Free Kicks (start quote), "If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own penalty area, the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area: • the kick is retaken" (end quote)

Cheers