LAW XIII – FREE KICKS

 

Types of Free Kicks

Free kicks are either direct or indirect.

For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

The Direct Free Kick

 

· if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponent’s goal, a goal is
awarded

      

The indirect Free Kick

 

· a goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another
player before it enters the goal

     

Position of Free Kick

 

· all opponents must be at least 5 m from the ball until it is in play
·  the ball is in play after it has been touched or played

 

Infringements/Sanctions

 

If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required distance:

 

· the kick is retaken

     

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player:

 

· an indirect free kick is awarded to opposing team, taken from the place
where the infringement occurred. However, if this offence is committed within the penalty area, the indirect free kick is taken from the penalty area line at the place nearest to where the infringement occurred

      

If the team taking the free kick takes more than 4 seconds to do so:

· an indirect kick is awarded to the opposing team

     

Decisions

·       Signals

·       Direct Free Kick:  the referee keeps one arm horizontal pointing in the direction the kick has to be taken. In the event the foul accounts as an accumulated foul, the referee points down to the ground with the index finger of the other arm just to let know the third referee (or any game official at the table) that it accounts as an accumulated foul.

 

·      Indirect Free Kick: the referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his head. He maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.