Question Number: 31296

Law 13 - Free Kicks 2/25/2017

RE: Intermediate Under 14

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 31289

I have a related question. Suppose the GK picks up the ball about 3 feet from the goal line & just off to one side of the goal area.

Where do the defenders stand for the IFK?

Since the goal area extends 5.5 meters past the goal post, it means that the kick is taken on an angle just a tiny bid more than 5.5m from the goal. If the defenders, including the GK, are required to be 10m away, that leaves a shot on the goal from almost 4.5m away, with no defenders in between. Even if the GK were to dive at the first touch, I would think the 2nd kicker could score every time.

What am I missing?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Phil,
I think you have misread one of the responses where it says 'outside the posts.' In this case, it refers to the defenders not the ball. As the previous answers indicated, when an IFK is taken by the attacking team on the 5.5m line, no matter where on the line it is, the defenders are allowed to be less than 9.15m away if they are on the goal line between the goal posts.

So in the situation you describe, defenders can still be on the line between the posts and less than 9.15m away. It is only if the defenders are outside the posts that they must respect the 9.15m distance.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The defenders must be 10 yds from the kick or take a position on the goal line between the posts.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
Players have a choice of 10 yards from the ball or on the line between the goalposts in such situations. Most teams would place all its defenders on the line between the post and the difficulty for the referee is ensuring they stay there until the kick is taken.