Question Number: 19939

Law 13 - Free Kicks 9/13/2008

RE: AYSO Under 13

steven Dunn of Beverly Hills, CA USA asks...

During our AYSO game, an indirect kick was called. The ball was placed down and our player quickly kicked the ball to one of our other players and it was then kicked into the goal. The ref waved the goal off saying that he had not blown his whistle to start play. I thought that the rules allowed the team awarded the indirect kick or direct kick to kick it as quickly as they wanted to. Am I right? Could you please site a website or source that fully explains the procedure or rights of offensive team when kicking a direct or indirect kick. Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The kicking team has the right to take a quick kick, unless the referee has told them to wait for the whistle for some reason. Typically that is because the kicker has asked for assistance with the 10-yard distance or because the referee has to deal with some issue such as misconduct.

That said, often the recreational leagues do not get the most experienced referees. At halftime in my game, I was watching a newer ref on an adjacent field. His spiel was, 'Wait for the whistle - Tweet' With the distance between those two events about as short as that dash I typed. Why? Simply because he didn't know any better.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

While my colleague has it likely spot on the referee simply did not know any better I give you the documentation of policy and proceedures that enlightens some and confuses others.

Although the referee has AUTHORITY to allow a quickly taken free kick he must consider the match in its entirety. While most fouls are obvious some require the referee to indicate the direction and type, indirect or direct by pointing the arm and raising it upright. Also if there is misconduct where cards are involved or the opposition is not withdrawing (The opposition has a DUTY to withdraw immediately)
If the kicking team has the ball still moving or too far from the spot of the infringement (The kicking team has an obligation to ensure the kick occurs according to procedure and from the correct location) or there is too much confusion or possible retaliation all factor into whether the referee can RECOGNIZE the need and rights let the team go quickly.

The fact is a whistle is a tool, used by the referee but not always required. The referee is incorrect if he thinks he MUST whistle but that is not to say he could have indicated that this was a discretionary time that he would or this kick was ceremonial in that perhaps an attacking player had requested the ten yards. It is an opinion by the referee whether the restart is valid. Even if that opinion is blurry it stands as a fact of play

Use of whistle
The whistle is needed to:
? start play (1st, 2nd half), after a goal
? stop play:
? for a free kick or penalty kick
? if the match is suspended or abandoned
? when a period of play has ended due to the expiration of time
? restart play at:
? free kicks when the wall is ordered back the appropriate distance
? penalty kicks
? restart play after it has been stopped due to:
? the issue of a yellow or red card for misconduct
? injury
? substitution
The whistle is NOT needed to:
? stop play for:
? a goal kick, corner kick or throw-in
? a goal
? restart play from:
? a free kick, goal kick, corner kick, throw-in

A whistle which is used too frequently unnecessarily will have less impact when it is needed. When a discretionary whistle is needed to start play, the referee should clearly announce to the players that the restart may not occur until after that signal.

LAW 5 the Referee
? indicates the restart of the match after it has been stopped
(NOTE the wording) The referee MUST award permission even if he silently admits it by not halting a quick restart it is ok.

Delaying the restart of play to issue a card
Once the referee has decided to issue a card, whether to caution or send off a player, play must not be restarted until the sanction has been administered.

lAW 13 Infringements and Sanctions
If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required distance:
? the kick is retaken
(NOTE the wording) ONLY thing mentioned is the distance . An example you take a quick kick and it is intercepted we are told to let play continue if we determine it is the kicker's fault and retake if the opponents faul,t but what if it was neither? We can use the concepts of trifling, doubtful and advantage but a referee requires experience and anticipation to understand such things, such things take time

LAW 5 the Referee Decisions of the Referee
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final.

LAW 12 Fouls and Misconduct
Basic requirements for a foul
The following conditions must be met for an offence to be considered
a foul:
? it must be committed by a player
? it must occur on the field of play
? it must occur while the ball is in play

An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if, in the opinion of the referee, a player:
? plays in a dangerous manner
? impedes the progress of an opponent
? prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands
? commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or send off a player

The indirect free kick is taken from the place where the offence occurred subject to special circumstances in the goal area (see Law 13 ? Position of Free Kick).

LAW 13 Free Kicks
There are two types of free kicks direct and indirect
The Indirect Free Kick
Signal
The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his head. He maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.

Procedure
For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

LAW 13 ? FREE KICKS
Position of Free Kick
Free Kick Inside the Penalty Area
Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team:
? all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball
? all opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
? the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area
? a free kick awarded in the goal area may be taken from any point inside that area

Indirect free kick to the attacking team:
? all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on their own goal line between the goalposts
? the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
? an indirect free kick awarded inside the goal area must be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred

Free Kick Outside the Penalty Area
? all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until
it is in play
? the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
? the free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred or from the position of the ball when the infringement occurred (according to the infringement)


LAW 13 ? FREE KICKS
Procedure
The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.

A free kick can be taken by lifting the ball with a foot or both feet simultaneously

Feinting to take a free kick to confuse opponents is permitted as part of football. However, if in the opinion of the referee, the feinting is considered an act of unsporting behavior, the player must be cautioned.

If a player, while correctly taking a free kick, intentionally kicks the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball again but neither in a careless nor a reckless manner nor using excessive force, the referee must allow play to continue.

An indirect free kick must be retaken if the referee fails to raise his arm to indicate that the kick is indirect and the ball is kicked directly into the goal. The initial indirect free kick is not nullified by the referee's mistake.

Distance If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than 9.15 m from the ball intercepts it, the referee must allow play to continue.

If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is near the ball deliberately prevents him taking the kick, the referee must caution the player for delaying the restart of play.

If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own penalty area, one or more opponents remain inside the penalty area because the defender decides to take the kick quickly and the opponents did not have time to leave the penalty area, the referee must allow play to continue.

Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 20046