Question Number: 22713

Law 13 - Free Kicks 1/11/2010

RE: Rec Adult

richie speidel of Delta, BC Canada asks...

Just wanted to clarify what I believe to be the case when a defending team gets a free kick in their own penalty area. The ball must clear the penalty area before it can be touched by either team. Is that correct?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. Law 13 provides that the ball is in play for ANY free kick by the defense that begins inside the defense's penalty area when the ball leaves the penalty area.

If touched again before the ball is in play, the free kick is retaken.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Speidel
You are indeed correct. The ball must leave the penalty area on all restarts for it to be in play which includes free kicks to the defense. If the ball does not leave the PA or is touched within the PA the restart is retaken.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

This seems to be one of the least known parts of the Laws of the Game. Everyone knows it applies when it is a goal kick; very few know that it applies to all outbound free kicks in the penalty area. Which is surprising as Law 13 and Law 16 are worded the same way.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

You betcha Richie!
LAW 13 Position of Free Kick
Free Kick Inside the Penalty Area
Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team:
? all opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball
? all opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
? the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area
? a free kick awarded in the goal area may be taken from any point inside that area

Infringements and Sanctions
If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required distance:
? the kick is retaken
If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own penalty area, the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area:
? the kick is retaken

LAW 16 Goal Kick
Procedure
? The ball is kicked from any point within the goal area by a player of the defending team
? Opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play
? The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player
? The ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area

Infringements and Sanctions
If the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area from a goal kick:
? the kick is retaken
Cheers