Question Number: 20536

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/17/2008

RE: Rec Under 13

Peter of Stockton, CA USA asks...

Hi

In my game on Sunday, my U-12 Boys team was awarded an IDFK right inside the Goalie box. So our free kick then was taken on the corner of the six yard box. My problem arose when the defending team did not retire the correct distance. I shouted to the center Ref that the defending team should pull back either ten yards or to the goal line, which ever they wanted. The Ref responded that if he did that the defending team would just crowd out the goal and my team would never score anyway. I feel that the ref should have assisted with keeping the defending team at the goal line, what are your thoughts?

I did not correct the ref again and play continued with the defenders being allowed off the goal line.

Cheers

Peter

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

I'm glad you did not correct the referee again. That's bad form, especially when the correction was wrong.

When an indirect free kick is awarded in the goal area, it is taken at the nearest point to the foul along the top of the goal area line. Defenders MAY stand on the goal line between the goal posts to defend the kick, which is the only exception to the 10 yard rule, but they are NOT required to stand there.

Any defenders not on the goal line between the goal posts must be at least 10 yards away in any direction. Holding up the kick to allow the defenders time to get into position is not required or suggested.

There is NO requirement that the defenders stand on the goal line. One wonders why they don't, because it makes it harder to get the ball in the goal, but at rec U13 they may not know they can be there.

Most importantly, though, the referee cannot force them to stand anywhere. They can be punished for standing too close, or the referee can move a defensive wall back to the required 1o yards, but that's about it. The less the referee interferes with the taking of a kick, the better.

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

If the IFK was awarded to the attacking team outside or inside the goal area, the defenders back up to the goal line between the goal posts. Unfortunately, it would appear that while the short answer from the referee--no, I'm not going to do that-- was right, the reasoning behind the answer was wrong. Hopefully the referee reads up on the LOTG and realizes the WHY of what his decision was.