Question Number: 22455

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/7/2009

RE: rec league Under 8

john of florham park, nj usa asks...

goalie touches the ball outside the box an our team is awarded a free kick which is straight on and the defensive teams places 8 of 9 or all 9 kids along the gaol line in the goal, is that allowed? it was an odd site, it that happened twice, needless to say we lost 1-0 and both kicks missed wide,
question: can you align your defense that way? thanks...john

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

As long as the minimum distance from the point of the infraction was realized the defenders are free to line up where they wish. They best watch the hands when in the position you mention.

It is a quirk of law 13 but on attacking INDFKS that occur CLOSER inside the defendng penalty area to the goal than ten yards up to the minimum 6 yard goal area line that parallels the goal line itself the defenders are granted the right to line up in the way you describe at all levels of play!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
Indeed it is allowed and the team can allign its players in what ever way it pleases on a free kick as long as the players are 10 yards away. Clearly if its an IDFK closer than 10 yards from goal inside the penalty area the players can line up on the goal line.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

As long as they don't push and shove your players out of the way to get to the goal line, they are allowed to be there. I don't know the size of your U8 fields, but on a standard size field the ball outside the penalty area is 18+ yards from the goal line, clearly far over 10 yards. I presume on small-sized U8 fields if the penalty areas were smaller than 10 yards, the distance required to retreat from a free kick would also be reduced.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If it is an IDFK from within the penalty area, the defenders are allowed to stand on the goal line between the posts should the kick be within 10 yards of the goal line. This is the only exception to the 10 yard requirement on free kicks. Please note if they stand outside the goal posts, they then must be at least 10 yards away from the ball.