Question Number: 19761

Law 13 - Free Kicks 8/18/2008

RE: Amateur Adult

Gary Jones of Cardiff, Wales asks...

A goalkeeper has a freekick in their area. The goalkeeper taps the ball to their own player and the ball does not leave the penalty area before the player takes a touch of the ball. is this a re-take? Does the same rule apply as a goalkick, where the ball must leave the penalty area before a player can touch the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Take the free kick again. Yes, the ball must leave the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Yes this is a retake all DEFENDING free kicks taken from within their own penalty area must COMPLETELY go beyond the PA boundrylines into play BEFORE any player from either team (except the kicker) can touch the ball!

PLUS, if that 2nd touch was done say to prevent an opponent just outside the area from being johhny on the spot to recieve it such action COULD Be cautionable as in breaking up a possible attack. The caution is USB the card is shown yellow hopefuly not his second otherwise a red card follows he is sent off, his team reduced to ten and the kick is retaken.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

ANY kick leaving the penalty area must clear the penalty area boundary line before it may be played by any other player. If the ball is touched by another player before it leaves the penalty area, the kick must be retaken. However, if a teammate or the kicker himself stops the ball from going over the boundary either to waste time or prevent an opponent from legally playing the ball subsequent to the stop, a caution may be considered. The kick still must be retaken