Question Number: 20997

Law 13 - Free Kicks 3/18/2009

RE: comp Adult

Bey Forghani of Orinda, ca contra costa asks...

can an own player receive the ball inside the penalty box on a DFK or IFK or the ball must clear the box first? Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

All free kicks taken by the defending team inside their own penalty area must clear the penalty area before they are in play. If any player, from either team, makes contact with the ball before it is clears the line, the free kick must be retaken. This can all be found in Law 13.

It is the same scenario as for goal kicks. The wording in Law 16 is identical to that in Law 13; I wonder why so many people know it is true for goal kicks but don't know about it for other kicks? Seems like whenever I enforce it I hear, "But it's not a goal kick!"

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

It is one of those tiny tidbits of information about law that seem to pass unnoticed! On ANY free kick going out of the penalty area bythe defenders the ball MUST cross the PA boundry lines into play before anyone (except the original kicker) can play that ball a second time. While I have seen it ignored by referees it is generally because they forgot rather than deem it trifling or doubtful!

FIFA QUOTE
" Free Kick Inside the Penalty Area
Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team:
? all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball
? all opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play

? the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area

? a free kick awarded in the goal area may be taken from any point inside that area
If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own penalty area, the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area:
? the kick is retaken"
End Quote
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I assume you are asking if a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside it's own penalty area, may the ball be played by a teammate before the ball leaves the penalty area. The answer is no. If a teammate touches the ball before it leaves the penalty area the kick is retaken.