Question Number: 15263

Law 13 - Free Kicks 4/23/2007

RE: Competitive Adult

phil wearmouth of sydney, NSW Australia asks...

A friend of mine told me recently that the law had changed when taking a quick free kick, and that in order to keep the game moving, the ball was allowed to be moving when the FK was taken. I was gobsmacked. Please tell me it isn't true.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You ask us to "say it ain't so!"

Well, it ain't so! You're friend is pulling you chain. Law XIII still requires that free kicks be stationary before the ball may be put into play. Tell your friend not to believe everything he hears, reads, or sees.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

This is NOT correct. Ball must be stationary. Your friend just made this up.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Gobsmacked, I love that word. We don't here it much in the US, except when it pops up in classics like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" or the Harry Potter books.

But that would be the correct word to use when confronted with a position such as your friend promotes. As my colleagues remark, the Laws of the Game still says "stationary" in both Law 8 and Law 13. Since Penalty Kicks, Goal Kicks and Corner Kicks are special versions of a Free Kick, it applies there too, even though it is not specifically stated in Law 14, 16, or 17.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I don't know what gonsmacked means but if it's analogous to astonished, I'm with you. There has been no such change. Free kicks are to be taken with a stationary ball.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Phil, your mate is having you off. Stopped on the floor at the point if the infraction [special circumstances of Law 8 apply], signal from the referee then kicked moved in any direction but not touched again by the kicker until another player touches it.

Note, the signal from the referee need only be the direction the free kick is taken unless indirect where the arm is required to be raised.

Regards,