Question Number: 16620

Law 13 - Free Kicks 9/9/2007

RE: rec Under 15

kim hopkins of vicksburg, MS. U.S. asks...

Quick Restarts.
If attacking team is fouled right outside the penalty area, direct kick is signaled by ref. attacking team puts ball down and kicks quickly and scores. should the ref have given defenders time to get prepared? rec u10 and older.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Kim,
the defenders in this case deliberately fouled an opponent to stop the attack correct? So why do you think they deserve further opportunity to cheat?
The right to restart quickly provided the restart is legit (from the right spot, ball not rolling) is one a referee could encourage by ensuring that all opponents respect the 10 yards and not do anything to prevent a restart as REQUIRED in law.

The referee accomplishes this by how he treats every restart in the match and how he responds to those who fail to live up to their obligations.

So no, the defenders deserve no opportunity to set a wall or have time to get into a better position.

A referee allows the game to flow whenever possible.

There will be times when the NEED to show a card or at the request of the aggrieved attacking team the defenders will get a bit more time but never is that time a choice on their part!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

From the instant the ball is stopped at the location of the restart the players are free to play the ball. Also from that instant all players opposing the free kick must retire the required distance in all directions, in other words no player opposing a free kick may be nearer that 10 yards unless retiring to that distance.

The only thing the referee is required to do on a free kick is ensure the ball is stopped on the floor at the proper place and the kicker does not kick the ball a second time before it touches another player. The opponents are REQUIRED to retire. If their failure to retire makes a difference in the ability to freely kick the ball the referee has just seen their failure to retire as something listed in cautionable offences.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It is a popular myth that the team committing the foul has a right to set a wall. For the record: The team that commits the foul has NO RIGHTS> ABSOLUTELY NONE. They are the ones that have infringed the laws and the only thing they are to do is give the 10 yards quickly. the team taking the kick is free to do so as soon as the referee signals

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

NO! Good for the attackers for capitalizing against the team that wronged them.