Question Number: 29818

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/15/2015

Brian Kerrigan of Brooklyn, NY USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29756

29756 follow up question....two actually

If the kick-out doesn't go beyond the perimeter of the box and is played by a defender is the kick-out retaken or is this an indfk to the attacking team?

Secondly,if there is a free kick awarded to the defending team in their own area eg attacker pushes over defender on a corner or incoming pass,is the attacking team required to leave the area completely or just back up ten yards from the spot of the infringement?

Thanks,
Brian.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brian
If the ball does not leave the penalty area on any kicked restart from inside the PA the kick is retaken no matter who touches the ball.
On your second question the attacking players must all leave the penalty area and must also be ten yards from the ball for those free kicks that are close to the penalty area lines.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Brian,
ANY out going free kick from within the defenders PA has the stipulation that ball MUST clear the penalty area to be in play . If a defender played the ball before it clears it is a retake as the ball is NOT yet in play.
What becomes an issue is whether to caution the defender for delaying the restart. In youth as a mistake, likely not, but as a tactical approach say to prevent an opponent vulture waiting right outside the 18 to pounce, possibly.

There is also the LOTG that dictate the opposition must be completely outside the PA and that they still must be at minimum 10 yds away as well, in ALL directions. Thus a free kick from say 16 yards out in front of goal the nearest opponent is 26 yds away, at least 8yds from the 18 yd penalty area .
Cheers