Question Number: 16735

Law 13 - Free Kicks 9/17/2007

RE: Competitive Under 18

Ron of Westborough, MA United States asks...

After receiving an off-side call close to the goal line and inside the 18; the defense places the ball to be cleared at the spot of the offside near the 6. Does the indirect kick need to clear the penalty area in the same fashion as a goal kick; or does it need to be put into play and become live once touched by a defender?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Any outbound free kick, indirect or direct, is in play when it clears the penalty area - the same as with a goal kick. If it does not clear the PA or if any player touches it before it clears, the free kick is retaken.

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Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes. Any kick inside the penalty area is not in play until the ball leaves the penalty area. All defenders must stand 10 yds from ball and outside penalty area.

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Ron. ALL free kicks coming out of the penalty area must clear the boundaries of the penalty area before the ball is in play

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