Question Number: 15637

Law 13 - Free Kicks 5/29/2007

RE: Travel/Premier/House Under 19

Chris Reddy of Rochester, NY USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15457

According to law 13 when an IFK is awarded inside the Penalty Area, [15457]

"all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on their own goal line between the goalposts."

the following is true? The defensive team is in fact only 6 yards away from the ball on the goal line - in a wall?

Does this mean that when awarded an IFK due to an upgrade to a DOGSO (question 15457), and the team takes an IFK on the 6 yd line,

("an indirect free kick awarded inside the goal area is taken from that part of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred")

that the entire defensive team can line up on the goal line in a wall? If not, wouldn't it be Goalie vs. kicker and team (an indirect PK - my term)

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This is the hardest of all possible restarts. The indirect free kick from the top on the goal area is fraught with bad possibilities and the referee must take positive control from the outset once this situation rears its ugly head. Law 13 does, indeed, state opponents are between the posts on the goal line, ON -- not behind or in front of, ON! There is no mistake here ON the goal line until the ball is kicked and moved.

The attack is going to fake a kick, tap on top of the ball instead of kick and move it, kick before a signal if one has been indicated or slam it into the wall on hopes of it sneaking through. The knowledgeable attacker is going to stand on the goal line BEFORE the referee demands defenders do. This establishes his position IN the wall and the defenders can do nothing about it AND he's not in an offside position. There is going to be pushing and shoving, watch out. He is the target of the free kick, but he won't be there when the ball gets there. If he shoves himself out of the way, direct free kick to the defenders. If he falls to the floor and the ball enters the goal without touching another player, goal kick. If they kick it before your required signal the Law requires it be taken again [we all know how to deal with that one]

The defenders ARE going to rush forward at the whistle, they ARE. The attackers will bait them to do so. When they do they're failing to respect the required distance at the taking of a corner kick or a free kick or throw-in, a cautionable offence. Deal with it! There may be the odd man out who handles the ball in the wall, it is deliberately handles the ball and a penalty kick, deal with it. It could be denies a goal by deliberately handling the ball if the ball has already been touched a second time, deal with that as well.

You WILL NEVER have the keeper alone on the goal line in this situation, you may see no one on the goal line -- this baits the kicker to put it in the goal without a second touch. Sometimes it works, but counting on this much ignorance in a player these days is incredibly hopeful, even in America. If you use the term "an indirect PK" and some parent hears it the rest of us will spend eons dispelling that myth, please refrain from ever thinking that again...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You understand it correctly. The defenders may place as many teammates on the goalline in between the goal posts as they can fit in that space. The moment the ball is in play they can move.

It's a very delicate situation. I've been the goalkeeper on the receiving end of such a free kick and I've been a referee having to administer this restart - one thing is certain, it's not easy on anyone.