Question Number: 29555

Law 13 - Free Kicks 7/25/2015

RE: Rec Adult

Paul of Milton, ON Canada asks...

DFK is awarded to attacking team about 5 yards out of the area. Defenders are about 8 yards back of the ball. Attackers do not 'ask' for yards but I gently ask defenders to back up a couple of times.

Is it necessary for me to restart with a whistle if I haven't mentioned such to the potential kicker or the keeper?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Paul
The decision is a matter for the referee and it is not necessary if the request is made in a cursory fashion. However it is good practise once the referee has intervened by word or clear action to make the restart ceremonial. By doing that the referee eliminates any potential complaint from the defending team if the kick is taken without the whistle.
My approach is to see if the kicking team want to take a quick free kick in which case I do not intervene in the kick process. If the kicker takes the kick then so be it and the outcome has to be accepted unless of course the opponent cones towards the ball to prevent same. If the kicker complains about the distance before the kick then I move in which makes it ceremonial.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The defense has only one right on a free kick - the right not to be misled by something that the referee says or does. When the referee instructs a defender to move back, the defender can be misled into thinking that the restart requires the whistle.

How to avoid confusing the defender. Early in the match, look for an opportunity to enforce the distance. A simple foul in the middle of the field with a defender hovering near the ball is perfect. Hold up play. Say the words: 'wait for my whistle.' Bark the defender back, and do a quick, short whistle for the restart. (Don't set a wall or slowly move the defender 10 yards).

This sets up all players to know that when the restart is ceremonial: (a) the referee says the words 'wait for the whistle'; and (b) when the referee says those words, the referee will use the whistle. On a formal ceremonial free kick, it is also advised for the referee to hold the whistle up in front of the referee's face while saying 'whistle' before setting the wall. Clear communication works.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Paul, often when I referee recreational adult or youth I do so as a single official as often as with ARs, rarely a 4th unless tournament play . I have a pregame spiel to the teams about Fairness, not being perfect, do not test me on restarts or cause my ARs any grief. I can be talked to not yelled at if we are to communicate. I only make a decision on offside if I KNOW it to be true so raising the hand looking for the bathroom will not cut it! ALAWAYS play the whistle! Substitution at centre before the stoppage!. I always ask DO you have any questions after each point or topic. So when I bring up restarts I say ten yds minimum no fuss no delays unless I say we wait for whistle we are game on! Any questions?
While I agree a referee needs to be involved as little as possible, a simple verbal utterance of, ten yds. gentlemen, need not be a declaration of a ceremonial restart. However, if you get in there and start directing traffic and turn their attention onto you best hold up that whistle and get it nailed down it IS ceremonial. As my colleagues point out, be smart use clear communications.
Cheers