Question Number: 20985

Law 13 - Free Kicks 3/15/2009

RE: Rec Adult

David Lovett of Royal Palm Beach, Florida USA asks...

I am a former USSF certified Ref. I am looking for a rule interpretation. When is an indirect free kick in play? What is the latest law AND interpretation of the law? Is it when it is touched or touched AND moved? If it is touched and moved, what is the interpretation of moved that is being taught in the classes. What does the newest Advice to Refeeres book say? If it is touched and sort of wiggles but does not physically leave the spot where it is, is the wiggle considered moved?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

That will depend in part on the referee. Technically, the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.

Kicked means with the foot, and moved means it visibly moves 'from here to there', however far enough that is to satisfy the referee that it has in fact been kicked and moved. Far enough is not very far - inches even.

Touched and wiggled is not generally considered to be enough to meet the kicked and moved standard. Again, it is the referee's decision as to what will be accepted as kicked and moved, and her decision is final.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It's not 'touched' and anything. It's when it is kicked and moves. Here's what LOTG say on page 122

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.

And from the latest Advice 13.5
13.5 BALL IN PLAY
The ball is in play (able to be played by an attacker other than the kicker or by an opponent) when it has been kicked and moved. The distance to be moved is minimal and the 'kick' need only be a touch of the ball with the foot in a kicking motion. Simply tapping the top of the ball with the foot or stepping on the ball are not sufficient.
When the restart of play is based on the ball being kicked and moved, the referee must ensure that the ball is indeed kicked (touched with the foot in a kicking motion) and moved (caused to go from one place to another). Being 'kicked' can include an action in which the ball is dragged by continuous contact with the foot. The referee must make the final decision on what is and is not 'kicked and moved' based on the spirit and flow of the match.

The referee must judge carefully whether any particular kick of the ball and subsequent movement was indeed reasonably taken with the intention of putting the ball into play rather than with the intention merely to position the ball for the restart. If the ball is just being repositioned (even if the foot is used to do this), play has not been restarted. Likewise, referees should not unfairly punish for 'failing to respect the required distance' when an opponent was clearly confused by a touch and movement of the ball which was not a restart.
The referee must make the final decision on what is a 'kick' and what is 'not a kick' based on his or her feeling for the game-what FIFA calls 'Fingerspitzengef?hl' (literally: 'sensing with one's fingertips').



You'll note that these interpretations apply to both direct and indirect free kicks