Question Number: 30845

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/2/2016

RE: Travel Under 12

Nigel Hughes of Bethesda , MD USA asks...

Is the referee obliged to walk out the distance from a free kick to the wall if requested by a player? I underatand that it may be wise for the ref to walk out the distance but my understanding is that he has no obligation if he believes the wall is at least 10 yards.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Nigel.
there is no legal obligation! The LOTG state a MINIMUM of ten yards It just makes sense to avoid useless discourse. If I was FORCED to pace I can assure you that minimum distance and well beyond could be added. Only a foolish referee makes it difficult if the wall is OBVIOUSLY within the ten yards to not back them up effectively as he is setting the stage for EVERY future free kick. A player who decides to dissent this fact COULD be in for a caution.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Nigel
No onus on a referee to step the yardage. I have a good sense of 10 yards distance honed after many years of practice yet I choose to pace it as then there is no debate about it from either side
I recall an incident a few seasons ago where I chose to motion the wall back without pacing. The kicker complained that it was not 10 yards. Now I could have told him to get in with play yet I chose otherwise. The kicking team were behind near the end of the game so I walked over and paced out 10 yards and guess what. The wall was back the 10. The player wasted match time with his insistence of getting 10 yards that he thought he did not have. It is just as handy to pace it and as it is the norm it eliminates any debate.