Question Number: 22600

Law 13 - Free Kicks 12/1/2009

RE: travel Under 12

timm of Succasunna, new jersey USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22593

To follow up on the Definition of Kick . . . I am not an attorney, but I find that each referee seems to have a little different take on some laws. I already asked about Law 13 and indirect kicks. I have seen refs call a goal when the first touch (or kick as some say) is nothing more than a toe tap and conversely goal not scored because the ball did not move far enough.
On a penalty kick, if my plant foot tapped the ball accidentally, and I then struck the ball (kicked) with my other foot, I have touched the ball twice. If the first touch there is 'putting the ball in play' i.e. a kick, then why not in an indirect kick.
I'm at the point now where I think I need to carry a short list and get an idea of how the ref for today's match will call Indirect kicks, inadvertent hand ball in the box, throw ins . . .
Perhaps a law that states the ball must move at least the circumference of the ball on restarts is a good idea?
I'm not coming down on refs either. I know it is hard out there. But I think that some of the laws are ambiguous and I'm seeking advise to be able to pass this information on to my son and his team mates. I'm really not trying to be an a$$.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Well, since you are from the USA, your son's team plays under the auspices of the USSF which has made clear a few things. The tap of the ball with the bottom of the foot used to be considered 'kicked and moved'. 2 years ago in Advice, the USSF decided to specifically do away with that so if you see any referee allowing this tap as kicked and moved, he is ether getting improper training at recertifications or has failed to keep up with new interpretations. Current Advice in Law 13:

13.5 THE BALL IN PLAY
The ball is in play (able to be played by an attacker other than the kicker or by an opponent) when it has
been kicked and moved. The distance to be moved is minimal and the "kick" need only be a touch of
the ball with the foot in a kicking motion or being dragged with the top or bottom of the foot. Simply
tapping the top of the ball with the foot or stepping on the ball are not sufficient.
When the restart of play is based on the ball being kicked and moved, the referee must ensure that the
ball is indeed kicked (touched with the foot in a kicking or dragging motion) and moved (caused to go
from one place to another).

As to the definition of kick, Advice is likewise clear:
. The requirement that the ball be kicked means only
that it has been played with the foot.

FIFA/LOTG often omit definitions that they believe everyone knows. Some have postulated that you can "kick"the ball using your shin. To me, that ignores the accepted definition f kick worldwide. Here's definitions from a few online dictionaries. You will note that in every definition of kick, the foot is mentioned.

Definitions of kick on the Web:

drive or propel with the foot
thrash about or strike out with the feet
the act of delivering a blow with the foot; "he gave the ball a powerful kick"

noun
15.   the act of kicking; a blow or thrust with the foot or feet.

verb (used with object)
1.   to strike with the foot or feet: to kick the ball; to kick someone in the shins.

verb (used without object)
9.   to make a rapid, forceful thrust with the foot or feet: He kicked at the ball.
10.   to have a tendency to strike with the foot or feet

   kicked, kicking, kicks
    Definition   1.   to deliver a blow to with the foot.
   
       2.   to set (something) in motion using a blow with the foot.

   
           
3.in football, to score (a field goal) by kicking the ball

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Timm
The sole arbiter of whether the ball is put into play properly is the referee. If two players are together at the ball on a indirect free kick and one player 'toe pokes' the ball for the other to shoot, many referees would have no difficulty with that. If the 'kick' was not seen by the referee or there is a ruse to stop encroachment then that is a risk that the team takes.
As regards the penalty kick 'double touch' scenario that indeed happened or believed to have happened in this year's English Premier league where the player standing foot slipped just as he was kicking the ball and it may have made contact with the ball at the same time as his kicking foot. Multiple freeze frame and slow motion viewing failed to decide definitively that there was a double touch and the goal stood. Did it make any difference to the goalkeeper or was it deliberate and an advantage gained? If there was a clear double touch that is not allowed and it is an indirect free kick to the defense.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Perhaps you could do a world of good by becoming a referee yourself? It would also help you in your quest to know the correct answers.

If the kicker of any free kick, including penalty kicks, touches the ball twice before any other player, then the referee must award an IDFK to the opposing team. Now, if the referee cannot tell whether or not the ball was kicked with one foot and then touched by another body part (usually the foot) of the kicker, then it has to stand as kicked with just one touch (see Ref Wickham's note about simultaneous touches). The prohibition on touching the ball twice on a restart is true of all restarts, actually, except for dropped balls. A thrower cannot touch the ball again after it enters the field until it has touched another player (either team).

There is no foul for inadvertent 'hand balls', by the way, because the ball must be deliberately handled in order for it to be an offense - meaning on purpose. Thus, by definition, 'inadvertently' cannot be 'deliberately'.

The ball moving it's circumference used to be the standard many years ago, but like kicked and moved, it is a standard that is flexible - just how far is the circumference? What do you do if it is an inch short? It was TOO hard to decide, so the much easier (one would think) kicked and moves were instituted.

The danger of becoming a referee is you begin to see the game is not colored in black and white; it is all shades of gray. I would highly recommend getting yourself a copy of the Laws of the Game and the Advice to Referees, both available online for download at the ussoccer.com website. It makes good reading

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Many good referees were parents with questions similar to yours.

The challenge at U12 is: (a) you see newer referees as they gain the experience to be ready when your children are U16 - U19; (b) FIFA keeps the wording of the laws simple, removing anything they feel that 'everyone knows.' Traditions and historic interpretations are hard to find. Fortunately, the USSF Advice To Referees (a link to it is on the home page of this website) provide lots of them; (c) FIFA/IFAB adds new points of emphasis to promote attacking soccer; and (d) referees are taught to ignore infringements that do not affect the match. So, what will be a called a foul in U10 might be ignored in U14, will be ignored in an adult match, and may be a sign of affection in a professional match? The referees adjust to what the players will accept even as the players adjust to what the referee will allow. The key is that the game stays fun, safe, and fair.

There was a time when the ball had to move at least its circumference to be in play; I think the game is better and faster under 'kicked and moves.' Although a kicker cannot touch the ball twice, the kicker can kick the ball with both feet at the same time. The ball must be handled deliberately to be a foul, but referees can't read minds. It's not all intuitive, but I second ref Maloney's advice. Come to a referee class and consider becoming one.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

We often address your concerns with the explanation the referee is indeed a match condition that coach and players must tactically adapt to!

Whether you get a warm sunny day at (68 F) or (20 C) with a slight breeze, short cropped firm grass pitch where the ball runs true or a ugly greasy day with driving rain nearly snow high wind and a pitch that the mud-boggers are envious of or extreme versions beyond or somewhere in-between it is something you enjoy or endure but get through it you must!

Even though those who instruct try to teach the laws as a basic presentation not everyone grasps the nuances as quickly! Like any player who struggles to become a better player in shooting, passing, dribbling etc.. Referees take time to develop into good referees, in foul recognition, game flow, law interpretation, etc.. As they gain confidence you can depend on them to do better!

Free kicks are taken with the foot and the terms "kicked and moved" refer to the use of a foot or feet to contact the ball. Where as a kicking action at the ball could give the appearance the foot is involved but could strike higher up the leg. The laws relate that a deliberate kick of the ball by a team mate to his keeper is a restricted event but if that ball struck any part of the leg except the foot it maybe a deliberate kicking action but if the foot is not involved it is free to be handled by the keeper! It may seem ridiculous but it is confusing and troubling for many newer referees.

Stationary balls at free kicks do move if stepped on and a sole roll is a kind of kick ONLY if the ball continues to move AFTER the foot is taken away. (That is my personal opinion) However a referee should not have to guess if a ball is in play, it should be a discernable event. The trifling aspect is player acceptance, if an the attacker touches the ball with the foot even a step on or toe prod and the opposition immediate close the ball down it would seem obvious both teams were ok about the restart even if we were hmmmm? suspect whether it moved discernibly. As for being an A$$ as a stubborn mule headed part Scot part German nothing wrong with being a pain or hard headed while seeking answers just keep an open mind to the COULD of possibilities.

Advice to your son and his team? ALWAYS play the whistle! Do not argue with the referee! Be prepared for anything and adapt to the circumstances! The game is on even when the ball is not in play! In a 90 minute match the ball is travelling in the air or rolling or out of play for approximately a one third of the match in the other hour if we divided a 50/50 possession split each team has the bal for one half hour divide by 11 and that is slightly less than 3 minutes in a match where a player actually has the ball in his or her possession . The game is mainly played WITHOUT The ball! The only way you can get better at the other 3 minutes is to practise! Teach them about SPAM! SPACE, PACE, ANGLES & MOVEMENT! Good habits make good players! Stay on your feet! Play fair and enjoy your selves, it is a game after all!
Cheers