Question Number: 18501

Law 13 - Free Kicks 3/9/2008

RE: Adult

Jone Stroemsvaag of Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag Norway asks...

Question regarding indirect freekick.

In the last minutes of the game Blackburn vs Fulham March 8th 2008, Fulham were awarded a freekick (high boot from Christopher Samba) outside the 18-yard box.

As both you and I know, when taking a indirect freekick the ball must be touched by a another player (on the same team) before a goal can be scored. But, is it enough to just touch it with the studs? Or must the ball move before it is concidered a touch?

Can you please explain the rules to me in regards to the taking of a indirect freekick, and especially the problem I present to you.

For me, a simple touch is against the law, if not the difference beetween direct and indirect is absent.

Best regards, Jone

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

We must first correct a misapprehension. On an indirect free kick, the ball must be touched by two players before a goal may be scored. The Laws say nothing about which team those players are on. So for example if a player drills an indirect free kick right at the goalkeeper and it rebounds off her into the net, that's a goal.

Here in the US we are specifically taught that the ball must move a discernable distance, "from here to there", before the second-touch counts - quivering, trembling, wobbling doesn't make it. Also, that the first touch of the ball must be done in a kicking manner (as opposed to a tap with the sole of the foot, for example). Those principles are universal, but may not be emphasized as much in other Federations.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Law 13 is specific as to this, the ball is to be kicked and moved. Where logic breaks down is what constitutes a kick and what constitutes movement is left to the discretion of the match referee that day. Prior to 1997 the ball was to be kicked the distance of its circumference [68-70 cm] before it was in play. Referees consistently misjudged that distance so the International FA Board simplified things and introduced the concept of "Kicked and moves" to the world of Football.

One referee may consider tapped and wiggled as sufficient for him and another may consider kicked with a kicking motion of the leg and the ball moved from here to there is what kicked and moves means. There are those who argue the ball must roll someplace and those are countered by ones who believe it can't roll it it is kicked directly into the air.

There we are, right back to your question... Who really knows what kicked and moves means until the referee that day establishes what it is to him. Me? I do it on the initial kick-off, tapped and wiggled doesn't cut the mustard and I tell them straight away by whistling and restarting things again, this time correctly as per my opinion of what kicked and moved means. So, you and I think alike -- we would rather see a kicking motion of the leg and the ball move someplace to be in play. If the ball is tapped and wiggled then hit into the back of the net I'll come up goal kick as would you.

This argument has been going on, in one way or another, in US Soccer since 1997. I'm sure it is the same in Norway, but referee's discretion rules and we're flexible based on what the referee's opinion just happens to be.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If, by touch, you meant the second touch, then any touch of any player other than the kicker would suffice to make a ball that ends up in the net from that second touch a goal. That touch can be of any flavor except a deliberate handling - it can brush off a player, bounce off a player, be headed, kicked, volleyed, whatever. If, by touch, you meant putting the ball into play by kicking and moving it - my colleagues have aptly described what is required. The important thing is that both teams can tell the ball has been put into play and not simply repositioned before the "kick" takes place. Any doubt on the part of the referee should be resolved with a retake.