Question Number: 20581

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/24/2008

RE: Travel 2 Under 11

Kevin of Orwigsburg, PA USA asks...

I was an AR at a recent U-11 boys Travel 2 game where after a foul, the team that committed the foul would have a player stand 2-3 yards in front of the ball. The CR would then march off the 10 yards and then whistle for the restart. Although both teams did this, one was much more frequent in using this tactic than the other.

I had a small discussion at half with the other AR and there wasn't total agreement as to the proper course of action. I felt that at the first occurrence, the offending player should have been told 'You're required to give him 10 yards.' If it happened again, you caution the player. The other AR didnt exactly like the tactic but wouldnt have gone quite that far. The often heard "They have to ask for the 10 yards." was mentioned.

Its my understanding that the team that committed the foul has to make a good faith effort to withdraw 10 yards from the ball. If the fouled team wants to make sure its 10 yards and not 8 or 9, they can ask for a ceremonial kick and at that point, you walk off the distance. If the team was making a good faith effort and the fouled team decides to restart before everyones 10 yards from the ball, then thats the chance they take.

How would have been a better way to handle the discussion?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I had a girl of about that age move right in front of a free kick. I quickly spread my arms apart as if measuring distance and barked, 'How far is that?' 'Oh, sorry ref.' It didn't happen any more. If it had, I'd see if she or any other player could better judge distance with the help of a 4 inch piece of yellow plastic.

One of the most pervading myths of the game is the old, 'They have to ask for 10.' No, they don't. The Laws are very clear - it is the defending team's responsibility to immediately move 10 yards away from the site of the free kick in all directions.

Good referees shouldn't have to march off the distance, either. They should know where 10 yards is - and if they don't, there's plenty of clues in the field markings to help them out. The center circle is 10 yards, the distance between the goal area and penalty area lines is 12 yards, etc.

Our respected colleague Robert Evans has an entry on his blog site called 'A game without one free kick?' See http://fortheintegrityofsoccer.blogs.com/ He correctly makes the point that when teams are allowed to stop their opponents in this fashion, the kicks are no longer free.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The center referee in your game has failed miserably in his duties. Your other AR likewise does not understand what 'retiring the 10 yards' means. You could give a verbal warning if you like, but the FIRST let me repeat FIRST time this happens, plastic should fly out of your pocket as this action is so in violation of both the letter and the Spirit of the Law it begs to be punished.Admittedly I am harsh when it comes to this maneuver but I am sick of seeing it repeated ad nauseum and feel it should be dealt with quickly and forcefully. The team that was fouled DOES NOT let me repeat DOES NOT have to ask for the 10 yards. Where is that in any official publication? This is a myth and referees that do not do their job only act to perpetuate it. The team that has committed the foul is REQUIRED let me repeat REQUIRED to retreat ten yards. They are to do so immediately and without being told. This referee let the players make a mockery of Law 13. He compounded the problem by showing the world he was too stupid to know how far 10 yards was and had to march it off. Coaches actually believe this tactic is fair and teach their players to do it. Their ignorance of the Law is excusable. Ignorance by a certified USSF referee is not.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Kevin, your knowledge appears far superior to your colleagues. You aren't cheating by reading the LOTG and all the other official publications, now are you? ;-)

I'm somewhere between Ref Voshol and Contarino on when I would caution for this behavior. It would depend on the skill level of the team and my appraisal of their level of sophistication with the game. U11 girls or guys would generally get a stern, loud, warning the first time, and this would be true even in some adult recreational teams THE FIRST TIME, and also loudly. It would also depend in part on what the coach is or is not yelling from the 'technical area'.

However, I have also been known to flash that yellow on the first stupid move of that nature. Has a magical curative power, I've noted, although in rare instances it requires a second application.

If you are comfortable sharing our answers with your colleagues, please do so. If not, please make sure your assignor is aware of this problem, so she can educate and update their knowledge.

Keep on learning, dear!

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

See Question: 20621