Question Number: 35739

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/5/2024

Petr of Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

This question is a follow up to question 35712

I would like to know something else. The referee wants to play a 'no whistle' free kick. However, the players are not in a hurry. They stand for a few seconds and do not play. They have the ball in the right place. Would you rather demand a ceremonial free kick afterwards? (Maybe because it might confuse the opponent?)

Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
Rather than make it ceremonial a referee could simply whistle to restart play. The whistle puts players on notice that a kick is expected within seconds of that whistle.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Petr ,
In cases of indecision a referee might be tempted to go ceremonial just to alleviate concerns of impartiality and lessen the confusion. My colleague suggests a whistle restart to indicate "Lets get it going! I often verbally say something to that effect of "Lets go!" That is a decent suggestion. Just be sure the signal is VERY clear it restarts the play not that you are intervening to deal with someone or something different.

I recall a mends match the blue team had a free kick and the red defenders had backed off thinking there would be a kick delivered into the PA . No need to set a wall and it was very clear the free kick could proceed. Yet, they did not go but the kicker started to argue about what they wanted to do. In particular with the coach and players off the FOP shouting in some language I was unfamiliar with Portuguese. Perhaps thinking no one on the other team knew what their tactical jargon meant? Anyway I waited a bit then said OK guys lets get going! And blew the whistle to indicate I wanted play to begin. They still argued. I whistled again and said guys you are wasting time, take the bloody kick! They still argued and I wound up cautioning the kicker for holding up the restart. He looked mad but more so at the touchlines for creating this needless BS . He finally steps up, boom, it heads into the PA skims off the head of a defender for a long range goal! Sigh No telling what the heck goes on in the mind of some players! lol
Cheers