Question Number: 20151

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/4/2008

RE: competitive Under 13

Pam S. of Palo Alto, CA USA asks...

Dear refs:

White team has been given a free kick just outside of the box against blue team. Blue team sets up a wall, and as the white player comes up to take her kick, the 4 players in the blue team wall jump up and down and scream in an effort to distract her.

I thought it was unsporting behavior, to say the least, and wondered what sort of coach would teach his players to deliberate act in such a way.

The ref did not do or say anything, and game went on. Was the action by blue players worthy of a yellow card? If so, would all 4 of the players acting in this way deserve a warning?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The Laws of the Game, page 114 in the Instructions and Guidance section, defines as unsporting behavior: 'verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart'

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Jumping up and down isn't a problem, as long as it doesn't take the defenders closer than 10 yards from the ball.

The screaming is something else altogether. It should have earned the defenders at least a warning from the referee on the first occurence, and the kick should have been retaken.

If the behavior is repeated, it should be punished with issuance of enough cautions to dissuade repetition.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

If the kick goes into the goal award the goal restart kick off after you tear a strip of all four.
Jumping at the ten yards is fine the screaming is goofiness. You could tell them to can it at the first outburst and even pick only the ringl eader to caution but in my opinion if no goal caution all four for USB show the yellow card and have the kicker retake.
Cheers