Question Number: 31211

Law 13 - Free Kicks 1/29/2017

RE: Rec Under 14

JOHN CORCORAN of NEWPORT NEWS, VA United States asks...

I need a translation on this: indirect free kicks to the attacking team for an offence inside the opponents goal area are taken from the nearest point on the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line. I interpret it as, for example, if there is a pass back and the goalie picks it up, or the goalie catches the ball and has control and then drops it and picks it up again, the attacking team gets an indirect kick from the 18 not where the goalie picked it up. Would that be correct?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi John,
I think you are getting confused between the goal area (also known as the 6-yard area) and the penalty area (aka 18-yard area).

If the offence occurs inside the goal area and you substitute the number 6 for 18 in your statement above, then you would be correct.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi John,
Bear in mind that the Goal Area is the 6 yard box, and the Penalty Area is the 18 yard box. So when it says it's taken from the edge of the GA, it's the small box it's referring to.
The parallel bit is just stating that it's from the long part of the GA, not the short 'side' - and it's just taken directly out from where the offence occurred.

This means defenders may stand on the line to defend it - but then need to be wholly on the line until it's kicked (not back foot on the line, front foot forward - and not several steps behind so they can charge the kick down).

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
Two different location. The goal area is sometimes called the 6 yard box whereas the penalty area is the larger 18 yard area.
Free kicks awarded inside the penalty area are taken from the location of the foul with the exception of the penalty kick whereas in the goal area they are taken on the six yard line. It would be impossible say if the GK committed an IDFK offence on the goal line for the free kick to be taken at the point of the foul right on the line. That is why it is moved out to the 6yard line.