Question Number: 14262

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/25/2006

RE: Senior Adult

Gavin Nolan of dublin, Ireland asks...

When a free kick is appointed by the referee, is the player allowed to stand a few yards away from the ball? (not the full 10) until the referee instructs the player to get back the full distance...
that way the defender can prevent the attacker taking a quick free kick??

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

A player can do this two times with me as referee, first time he gets a caution and is shown the yellow card for failing to respect the required distance at the taking of a corner kick or a free kick. Second time he gets a caution for the same thing and is sent off for a second caution in the same match.

What you are saying is: when we foul an opponent he can't take advantage of his free, free to take it anytime, kick until we get behind the ball and defend better. No sir, this is a myth generated by the professional leagues around the world and the referees who want to continue refereeing at that level. If more referees would caution for this we would see less and less of it. It the referees where you play allow this, go ahead -- have fun, cheat...

You are obligated as a gentleman to retire the correct distance instantly. In no way are you correct in taking away a free kick.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

No the player must yield 10 yards right away. If they do not, they should be cautioned for failure to respect distance.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 14875