Question Number: 21656

Law 13 - Free Kicks 7/15/2009

RE: Old class 3 Adult

Les McGrath of Nanaimo, BC Canada asks...

When taking a free kick can you have 2 of the attacking players stand tight together to stop the goalie seeing the ball, in front of the defensive wall about 3 yards from the ball and a player taking the kick feints by jumping over it then the 2 players who had been standing tight together separate and anther attacker hits the ball between the 2. Apparently Liverpool did this a few years ago but had to stop as the referees started saying it was ungentlemanly conduct, yet, THE LAW SAYS ONE CAN FEINT AT A FREE KICK

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Presuming the players are not in an offside position, there is nothing wrong with this ploy. Not that it would seem to me to be particularly effective ...

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is very common (and lawful) for several attackers to set up for the kick and have one or more run past the ball the confuse the defense as to who is taking the free kick. FIFA agrees that feinting at a free kick is allowed (but then adds unless the referee believes it is unsporting behavior.) When the delay gets excessive (running past the ball coming back and running forward many, many times) it is more likely to be unsporting.

It is also common for attacking players to get in the wall and duck or jump at the last minute. As long as they are not in an offside position, they are allowed to disrupt the keeper's ability to see and track the ball.

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

See Question: 27934