Question Number: 29336

Law 13 - Free Kicks 4/20/2015

RE: Adult

g webb of grays, essex england asks...

if a defending team has a free kick inside the penalty area has all the players need to be outside the penalty area before another player touches the ball or can both sides be allowed into the area to play the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi G ,
on ANY defending free kick from within their own penalty area NO one from EITHER TEAM can play that ball until the ball has COMPLETELY cleared the PA boundary lines into play.

The DEFENDING team can be INSIDE the area just have to wait till the ball clears .
The ATTACKING team MUST remain OUTSIDE the penalty area as well as respect the ten yards.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
The defending team can be inside the penalty area on any kicked restart. The ball though cannot be touched for a second time by either team until it clears the penalty area.
Now the attacking team must move out of the penalty area and on a free kick be 10 yards from the ball. However on a quick free kick or goal kick the referee can allow play to continue with attacking players inside the area who are moving out provided they do not interfere with the kick or say take a short cut to head off the restart.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

On a free kick inside the penalty area for the defense the ball is in play when it LEAVES the penalty area. Also, all the players on the non kicking team have to be outside of the penalty area until the ball is in play (leaves the penalty area). This is similar to a goal kick.

If a player touches the ball before it leaves the penalty area, then the free kick is retaken.