Question Number: 22497

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/11/2009

RE: Rec. Under 15

joe of st clair shores, mi usa asks...

On a indirect kick inside your penalty box, does the ball have to leave the box to be playable, or just like a goalkick, it has to come out ? Also what is the purpose for the penalty box arc?

Thanks
Joe.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

All outbound free kicks, direct or indirect, taken from within a team's own penalty area must exit the penalty area into the field before the ball is in play. No other player can touch the ball until it is in play.

All players except the kicker and keeper must be at least 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked at a penalty kick. The penalty arc shows where 10 yards is.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Law 13 applies to all kicks by the defense from inside the penalty area. The ball is not in play (and may not be touched) until it leaves the area.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Joe
On any restart inside the penalty area the ball must leave the area to be in play. If it does not leave the area or it is touched by either team inside the penalty area the kick is retaken. Surprising the number of player that don't know that.
As Referee Voshol states the penalty arc is there to assist player and referee to maintain 10 yards from the penalty taker until the ball is kicked.