Question Number: 19699

Law 13 - Free Kicks 8/6/2008

RE: Select Under 19

Ted Kiger of Mt. Vernon, OH asks...

Distance:
Does a player have to always ask a ref for 10 yards on a free kick?

The scenario; quick start play and a player jumps in front of the ball or casually walks in front to slow down play.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

No, a player does not have to 'ask for 10' - that is one of the abiding Myths of the Game that refuses to die. The defense has a RESPONSIBILITY to immediately try to move AT LEAST 10 yards from the spot of the free kick.

A player doing what you suggest in your scenarios would get an immediate caution from me and the others on this panel. I hope you will join us in our quest to have referees enforce the Laws.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Unacceptable behavior on the part of the defender(s)!!! Whistle, stern talking to (FIRST time this happens in a match), caution, retake. Should not happen again, but if it does, as a good friend of mine puts it, take out the trash!!!

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Ted, the point is that it is incumbent upon the players to retire 10 yards when a free kick is taken against them. That does not mean the attackers have to wait for that to happen. However, if the players are doing the opposite, i.e. NOT in the process of retiring 10 yards, a caution may well be the right course of action.

For your information there is a noted exception. If an indirect free kick is taken from the edge of the goal area parallel to the goal line, the defenders may stand between the goal posts on the goal line. This of course could be between 6 and 10 yards away from the kick.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Please tell me you are not doing U 19 Select games and you did not know the answer to this question

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Any opponent moving toward the ball after it has been placed for a free kick is in violation of the Law. Why have you not dealt with it in accordance with the Law?