Question Number: 31250

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/11/2017

RE: Rec Under 12

JOHN CORCORAN of NEWPORT NEWS, VA USA asks...

What is the correct call when the defending team commits an indirect free kick penalty(pass back) in the penalty area not goal area? Does the attacking team get an indirect free kick from the spot of the foul or does it go to the 18?

Also if there is an accidental or intentional head ball in a U11 game in the penalty area by the defending team, where is the ball placed? What if the attacking team accidentally or intentionally heads the ball in the penalty area? Where does the ball get placed?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
On the deliberate kick to the goalkeeper by a team mate the IDFK is taken from where the goalkeeper touched the ball with his hands. The only exception is inside the goal area where should the ball be touched in there by the GK the IDFK is taken from the six yard line.
The same applies to any IDFK inside the penalty area with the goal area exception. The free kick is taken from the location of the infraction except inside the goal area where it is moved out to the six yard line.
In respect of an accidental head contact at underage there is no offence there and play should continue unless the player is hurt from the contact. For instance if the ball is kicked and it hits a players head accidentally through no fault of his own there is no offence and play continues. If the player is hurt then play is stopped and the restart is a dropped ball from where the ball was when play was stopped.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi John,
The answer to the first part of your question is the same (more or less) as in your question 31211. Indirect free kicks for the attacking team in the penalty area (and which are not in the goal area) are taken from the point of the infraction.

In the second part, if the heading is accidental there is no free kick so the question of placement doesnt arise. If it is intentional and again, assuming it was in the penalty area but outside the goal area, the free kick is still from the point of the infraction.