Question Number: 29826

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/18/2015

Steven of Seattle, WA USA asks...

If a player asks you (the referee) if a kick is direct or indirect, should you tell them?

I would usually tell younger kids who played recreationally, but once you get competitive players (especially at higher ages) I expect them to know, so I don't tell them to avoid any kind of bias or assistance.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steven
No issue about responding to a players request to know if a kick is direct or not. There is no question of bias or assistance as it is what it is - direct or indirect. In fact I would be so loud that every players knows and can factor that into their decision making. The goalkeeper can leave the shot or perhaps not put in place a defensive wall for the direct shot. Better for players to know it is indirect rather than disallowing the goal when it enters the goal directly from the free kick or trying to stop the shot when there is no need.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Of course you should answer simple questions like that for the younger ages. If they keep asking, tell them that when your arm is in the air it's indirect, otherwise it's direct. If we don't teach them the signals, how will they learn?

Sure more advanced players should know the Laws better so they will know if it's direct or indirect without asking. But they don't, so we help them out by telling them. That's not bias, because you will do it for either side that asks. Bias would be explaining to them how to take an indirect kick to their best advantage. That should have been taught by the coach.

I understand your point that maybe we should expect the teams to be totally prepared, and if one team isn't prepared we shouldn't have to help them out. Still, we can answer simple questions like direct/indirect, how much time left, can I take the kick quickly, etc.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Steven,
YES! There is no biases for a neutral official officially stating the restart is an INDFK in a way all can hear! The knowledge is certainly to the benefit of both teams. Defending keeper knows if it goes directly into the goal it can be left. Attacking kicker knows if he kicks it directly into the goal it is a waste. Their understanding of the restarts is of course their coaches job. Plus it will help you to keep that arm raised.
A communicative official who can effectively engage both teams . You are not the secret police. You certainly can respond in generalizations to questions like 'How much time is left? What kind of free kick is it? You always need to remember the game is about playing fair by everyone. Withholding basic information that is not of a tactical benefit has no value to be withheld other than the players thinking you are being obtuse. I understand you not wanting to appear to be taking sides, however, as a neutral official you are on both sides for the good of the game!
What I have issues with is referees who engage in talking about tactical restarts to only one team without the other present. Speak so all can hear.

Example Players approach and tell me they are going to try a trick corner where the first guy will nudge the ball. The other guy will dribble it out so I should be aware so as not to unfairly punish the dribble as a 2nd touch. Now as a neutral referee you have just sided with the one team. I would NOT permit a player or coach to do this on match day> I interrupt and if they try to force it I could even caution. I state so as to inform both teams the ball is in play off a restart, if placed correctly, I can see it has been clearly kicked from point a 2 point b. You can not step on it to squish, sole roll it keeping your foot on the ball as it moves or lightly tap it so it only wobbles. On INDFK, DFK, and CORNER KICKS please note what I am telling you now so you are not confused later.!
Cheers