Question Number: 29916

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/13/2015

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29914

I watched the video that was suggested by referee Joe McHugh & have one question about it. Regarding the issue of interference vs. interception on a quick free kick, the video stated that forward movement + contact with the ball by a defender who was within 10 yards constituted interference (which I completely understand). However, it also seemed to say that side motion + contact by the same defender was interception. I thought I understood, from previous answers on this site, that movement toward the ball after it's kicked (be it forward or sideways) to 'intercept' the ball, while a defender is within 10 yards, was considered interference. For example, if a defender is about 6 yards away & the kicker kicks the ball at a 45° angle towards an attacker. If the defender moves sideways and intercepts the ball while still within 10 yards, this would be interference & a restart. Is this correct?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Phil,
Really? Can you please give me the question numbers that reflect that thinking?
No
if the opponent is withdrawing the moment the attacker kicks the ball, restarting play, the opponent is released of his restriction, he can move to chase it or attempt to intercept.

The KEY is he cannot move to intercept within ten yards BEFORE The ball is kicked! The concept of withdrawing ten yards might get a bit muddy at 8 to 9 yards.

The situation that raises the most confusion is a RELUCTANT defender moving far too SLOWLY or even staying stationary at about 5 to 6 yards away then reacts quickly to the ball being put in play and intercepts.

Albeit we are instructed those that live by the quick kick have to suffer the consequences if they try to do it with defenders close by instead of waiting until 10 yards is achieved! We are also cognizant of the defenders' duty to not interfere by moving against he restart point until AFTER the ball is put in play! I generally find if the defender is tracking the run up by the attacker to kick, he is already moving into intercept. Rarely are they running away or unaware of the ball flight THEN react. As referee you hold the SOLE opinion of that FACT!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
There is a fine line between to the side and forward. If you look at the video at 8.53 it is clear that the player has intercepted the ball yet in a split second afterwards it will look like the player was coming forward. Timing of that movement is critical and you will note that the defender does not move forward before the kick. It also looks like an error and an interception
Now on the QFK where the player forgoes the distance many times the ball is kicked into the opponent within 10 yards and the kicking team just has to accept that.
However there will be many times that the defender will try to stop the kick, raise the foot forward, coming towards the ball before the kick is taken and that should not be allowed.
Now for me on these QFKs I will look for what is clearly giving the ball away in error which is the teams fault compared to the opponents doing something that has clearly interfered. I would also factor in how close the defender is to the ball. Anything that is close say around four yards is just too close and more than likely interference due to the need to react to the kick. If the player find the ball coming towards him well back from the ball then that is an interception
If I have a doubt then I will go with the free kick again with no card. *okay we will have that kick again and it is on the whistle*

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 29919