Question Number: 19093

Law 13 - Free Kicks 5/14/2008

RE: Competetive High School

Ishaq of Uttara, Dhaka Bangladesh asks...

When a player takes a freekick from a dangerous place, cant the opponent make a wall to block the whole goal? And if they cant, can they just stand in front of the goal?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Allow me to emphasize - DEFENDERS HAVE NO RIGHT TO SET A WALL!!!! If they have time or if there is a cermonial free kick, the defense may try to set a wall, but it must in all cases but one be a minimum of 10 yards/9.15 meters from the ball, and no one is going to wait for them to finish setting it. He who tarries too long, loses. The one exception to distance is, as my colleagues have noted, when an IDFK is awarded against the defense for an offense committed inside the goal area. Then, and only then, can the defenders be 6 yards away, on the goal line, and in between the goal posts - and only if they are fast enough to get there before the attack takes the kick! That would be the "free" part of kicks - free from interference or delay by the defending team.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Ishaq,
On any free kick except a PK defenders can line up in front or along the goal if they are farther away then the ten yards. On all free kicks the opposition must be a minimum ten yards away from the spot of the infringment UNLESS it is an INDFK from closer than ten yards but not less than 6 yards from the goal. It is the ONLY circumstances where opponents can line up along the goal line under the crossbar and between the posts and be closer than 10 yards.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

In addition to what my colleague said, I would note that the kicking team has no obligation to wait for the defenders to set up a wall. If the defense is too slow, a quick kick may fool them.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Opponents may do as they please at the taking of a free kick so long as they do not delay the restart of play and the respect the 9,15 metre distance, in all directions, from the location of said free kick.

The side awarded a free kick is free to do as they wish at any time they wish with their free kick from the time the ball is stopped on the floor at the point of the infraction, given the referee allowing it to be taken. Times when a referee will not allow a free kick are limited to those involving discipline critical to match management and discipline waiting the next stoppage in play if advantage was allowed and materialised subsequent to the misconduct.

The side harmed by their opponents and awarded a free kick is under no obligation to await their opponents getting back to defend, setting up a defensive wall or arguing the decision to award a free kick in the first place.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Members of the kicking team may also occupy space within the "wall"... watch free kicks at the pro level. The kick comes and all of a sudden, like magic, there is a gaping hole in the wall as the attacker swings back like a door opening. The ball flies through the hole and into the goal and the players in the wall are left with egg on their face.