Question Number: 30043

Law 13 - Free Kicks 1/24/2016

RE: select Under 14

darren boynton of Saco, maine usa asks...

Does the player have to ask for the 10 yards on a free kick restart or can the referee enforce without being asked?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Darren
A player does not have to ask and it us up to the referee to decide whether it is necessary or not to do so. In the case of a quick free kick then obviously it is not necessary and the referee does not have to intervene unless the QFK was prevented.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Darren,
simple answer to your 2 part question is NO he doesn't and YES he can!

As a generalization the referee is required to interfere in the match as little as possible. Yet a referee must be cognisant of the actions of each team gauging the fairness, holding both teams accountable to conduct themselves within the LOTG.

The LOTG stipulate that when a free kick is awarded the opposition MUST retire a MINIMUM of 10 yards. No one has to say or do anything except obey that law within a timely fashion.
The optimum word of the 2 (free kick)here is FREE meaning the opposition is not permitted to hinder the taking of the kick by the attackers. As defenders their sole obligation is to move AWAY from the spot of the foul or infraction.

If an attacker is forced to REQUEST ten yards, very often the defenders are unfairly interfering. Occasionally this is not true, the attackers have a plan and want time to set up the kick rather than take it quickly.

Good referees read the game well! They pays attention to the tactics each team tries throughout the match. For either team it is cautionable misconduct to delay a restart but only the opposition can be tagged for failing to respect 10 yds I usually warn the players in pregame that I am very particular about restarting in a fair and timely manner.

The defenders should not be distracted by the referee's actions. It is unwise for a referee to initiates a personal conversation as he can be guilty of unfair interference by taking away the attention of the defending players whereas a blanket statement of "TEN YARDS NOW!" to encourage the lolly gaggers to moved it so the free kick can occur without threat or hindrance is not an unreasonable option

The attacking players too though can play unsportingly on occasion, trying to draw cards by deliberately kicking ball into a nearby opponent then claiming it was their failure to respect the ten yards as the reason.

UNTIL the ball is KICKED into play the opposition can not move to intercept! This dance of immunity many get away with is unfathomable to me but with the decision to use foam and a lack of accountability far too many free kicks are ceremonial in nature then ever before at the elite level.
Cheers