Question Number: 14367

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/5/2006

RE: Pro Adult

Daniel Munteanu of Bacau, Romania asks...

The referee awards a free kick. Even if he shows clear that he will establish the 10 yards distance, an attacker doesn't wait the referee's whistle and takes the kick. A defender who is only at 6 yards from the ball in that moment stops the ball. How shall the referee decide?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This depends. If the defender 6 yards away is not running at the ball, it's the taker of the kick's tough luck. A quick kick may always be taken but the kicker forfeits the right to 10 yards.

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Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If he did not move farther forward, then do nothing. Else...it is a rekick. It is the attacking team decision to take the quick kick.

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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

There is a small problem here, the referee should not be delaying the restart of play UNLESS the side awarded the free kick delays their own restart or asks the referee to intervene. If the kicker has asked and not waited for the referee's signal he runs the risk of a caution, a retake and more time for the opponents to get behind the ball.

Regards,

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