Question Number: 30318

Law 13 - Free Kicks 4/18/2016

RE: Competive Under 16

Shaun Broadhead of Heber City, Utah United States asks...

A free-kick is being taken around midfield. One defender stops about 8 yards away from the ball and faces the kicker. I tell the player to take a couple steps back, which the player does immediately. So far so good. Now about the same time or slightly before the kicker starts moving forward to take the kick a second defender starts to run, starting from behind and to the side of the kicker at about a 45 degree angle. The second defenders path momentarily travels slightly in front of the kicker and then away, going in the direction of the kick. The attacking player continues the kick which travels freely and seemingly to the intended target. Although the run of the second defender did not seem to impede or disrupt the kick in any way, I questioned myself if I should have stopped play, issued a caution to the second defender for not respecting distance and had a retake of the free-kick.

If the ball had struck the second defender, I would have certainly stopped play, but since the defender was moving away from the ball when it was struck, did not seem to impact play, and was not during a ceremonial restart, I felt no action was required.

The reason I question my decision after the match was that I began wondering, due to the timing of the second defenders run, if this could be a tactic to impact, confuse, or disrupt the kicker.

Should a caution have been appropriate in this situation?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Shaun
As described it reads like the movement had no impact on play so in my opinion that is doubtful and certainly trifling and play should be allowed to continue. You made the correct decision in my opinion.
Sometimes in a game a forward might try to impede the release by the goalkeeper in a similar fashion in open play by moving across his path. Most times it has no effect on the GKs punt so there is no need to intervene. Play should continue.
The advice is to only intervene when it impacts on play. Do not sweat the small stuff on trifling or doubtful situations. Also keep the cards for more deliberate certain infractions.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Shaun,
it was correct to NOT stop play as the attack was not hindered but a word in the ear of the encroaching player might be warranted.
Cheers