Question Number: 33

Law 13 - Free Kicks

RE: adult indoor Adult

Julie of Ogden, Utah USA asks...

In indoor when the attacking team goes to quick kick the ball after a direct kick was awarded close to the defending teams goal. Should the referee give the defending team time to prepare for the IFK...Thanks,..Julie

Answer provided by Referee glenn

Julie, I've not reffed indoor so I'm not sure as to the nature of that parameter. ..Your question contains direct kick and indirect kick in it. ..As a rule I will ask the coaches prior to a game outdoors if the quick kick is a method they use and teach. If so I may not require the ten yards and time to set up. If they do not do it I will always ensure that ten yards is respected.

Answer provided by Referee Victor Matheson

The answer is the same for indoor and outdoor. If a player wants to take the kick quickly, they have the right to do so without waiting for the defense to set up. The kicking team does not need to wait for a signal from the referee to take the kick. (Note that if they take a quick kick and shoot the ball into a player standing 2 yards away, they cannot complain about the opponents not being 10-yards away!)..However, if the kicking team asks for 10-yards (or the equivalent distance for indoors) they have to wait for the referee to back the wall up and give a signal to restart. The kicking team cannot take a quick kick while the referee is busy backing up the wall.