Question Number: 22106

Law 13 - Free Kicks 9/29/2009

RE: Competive Adult

Shaun Pritchard of Wolverhampton, West Midlands asks...

If the defending team have a free-kick inside there own area, does the ball have to leave the penalty box before another player can touch the ball (like a goal-lick)?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Yes, although this is perhaps one of the least known parts of the Laws. I'm not sure why, because the wording in Law 13 and Law 16 is the same. '? The ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area'

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Directly means no one can touch the ball after it is kicked until it leaves the penalty area (the whole ball is outside the penalty area). So if an attacker runs in early, we retake the kick. If a defender 'helps' it out of the penalty area, we retake it.

It is exactly the same procedure for a free kick as a goal kick in this regard.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Shaun, I am not sure what a goal-lick is but if it an adult player licks the ball inside the penalty area after the defenders have taken a free kick, it is a retake. Actually the ball must go outside the penalty area on any kick by the defenders in their penalty area, meaning onto the field of play, before the ball is play. In addition, all attackers must stay outside the area till this happens, otherwise it is a retake. It is the same thing as a goal-lick, I mean goal kick.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Shaun
Surprising the number of players that are not aware of this rule. I have asked for a retake on two indirect free kicks for offside that did not leave the penalty area in the last 3 months and I have gotten the reply on both occasions 'But ref its not a goal kick'.
Ref Voshol and Maloney have quoted the relevant laws with examples.