Question Number: 20567

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/21/2008

RE: High School

kim of middleville, MI USa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 20562

Thanks for the answer...I wasn't GOTCHA...I was asking for a simple clarification of the answer you guys gave. Again, Eric, (who I have reffed with)was asking about IFK and DFK in the penalty area. It wasn't obvious to me that he inferred outbound kicks only by the defender only... I enjoy reading the answers you guys give to

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Kim, please. Eric specifically said in his question the IFK or DFK (DFK impossible unless coming OUT of the penalty area) was not a goal kick. Now why on earth would he go to the trouble of mentioning a DFK and a goal kick if the free kick inside the penalty area was NOT coming out of the penalty area? Furthermore, he asks, since this is not a goal kick does the ball have to leave the penalty area before it is in play. Now, does it make any sense at all that this could even remotely refer to an IDFK to the attackers? has anyone, anywhere EVER asked, implied, or imagined that an IDFK to the attackers inside the penalty area would have to leave the penalty area before it was in play? Eric surely knew, as I suspect you did also, that he was referring to kicks leaving the penalty area. You even again refer now about a DFK in the penalty area which is by definition impossible unless leaving the penalty area or it would be a penalty kick

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

If you are 100% clear then our efforts are not in vain. We sometimes come across as gruff or irritated but our intention is to make you fully aware of the correct proccedures and the importance of correct decisions.
Cheers