Question Number: 31812

Law 13 - Free Kicks 9/23/2017

RE: Rec Under 12

John of Newport News, Virginia USA asks...

Team A has a direct free kick just outside the 18. They did a quick restart but the ball was moving. It was a shot on goal and the goalie made a save. What is the correct call? A goal kick or redo the DFA since the ball was moving.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI John,
tough one as you could consider it doubtful or trifling given the outcome is play one no harm no foul. I think if you see the restart is not acceptable you should be whistling it immediately not waiting to see what occurs. That way ball scores or saved you prevent the ire of either team because the whistle come BEFORE the goal before the save. To pull it back for second go defending keeper will be livid. To pull it out of the goal attacking team will not be happy no matter your decision is correct under the L OTG. Here a quick whistle solves it! PLus it firmly upholds the standard bar, that the ball MUST be stationary in the correct spot before it is kicked and moved!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
Many times referees have to look at a slightly moving ball at a resart to determine if the movement is doubtful and trifling in which case we will probably ignore the restart and allow play to continue.
If we do not ignore it then it is a retake and that might not sit well with the opponents who see the kicking team getting a second bite at the cherry.
In my game yesterday it was extremely windy and on a particular free kick the ball moved and the kicking player continued with the kick. There was an immediate appeal by a defending player and the ball sailed high and wide. Guess what? Do you think there was any further appeal for a moving ball? None and I restarted with a goal kick. Even the kicking team could not appeal as the kicker had the option of stopping and resetting the ball. Now had the ball sailed into the goal I would have had to retake as I did see the ball move and it would not be doubtful and trifling. In that scenario there could be little complaint of a retake.