Question Number: 29696

Law 13 - Free Kicks 9/13/2015

RE: Competitive Under 11

Rob of denvile, New Jersey USA asks...

Its a free kick to the defending team in the penalty area. Can a defender take the free kick and pass it to another player on same team without it leaving the penalty area?

Another way to ask same question.
Does the ball have to leave the penalty area on a free kick before another player touches it?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Rob,
NO! the ball MUST completely clear the PA before a team mate can receive the pass. It is one portion of the LAW I frequently see missed at the lower levels. The free kick would be required to be retaken if touched by a team mate or if an opposing player played the ball BEFORE it exited the PA. As I stated in your other question the opposition must stay OUTSIDE THE PA and still be the mandatory ten yards from the free kick. You can place ALL your defenders inside IF you wish, as only the opposition must remain outside. Goal kick or free kicks, it is all the same, the ONLY difference is offside does not apply on the goal kick! Plus the location of the free kick if it was INSIDE the 6 yard goal area can occur from anywhere inside that goal area, be it a goal kick or dfk or indfk.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rob
On all kicks taken by the defending team inside the penalty area the ball must leave the penalty area to be in play. Many think that this only applies to goal kicks. Not so. It also applies to free kicks as well.
The other requirement of ten yards by the opponents must also apply