The Referees' Report

Laws of the Game

Laws 13-17 (restarting the game)

Law 13 - Free kicks

There are two types of free kick:

Direct

A goal can be scored direct against the offending team

Indirect

A goal can only be scored against the offending team if, after it has been kicked, the ball has been touched or played by another player

At the taking of a direct or indirect free kick outside a team's own penalty area:

• the ball must be stationary on the ground
• all opponents must be 10 yards from the ball except when they are standing on their own goal-line and the free kick is less than 10 yards from the goal-line
• the ball is in play when it moves
• the ball cannot be touched or played a second time by the kicker until it has been touched or played by another player
• The free kick is taken from where the offence occurs unless it occurs within the goal area when the indirect free kick shall be taken from any point inside the goal area.
• If an opponent encroaches within 10 yards of the ball before the kick is taken, the referee shall delay the taking of the kick.

At the taking of a direct or indirect free kick inside a team's own penalty area:

• the ball must be stationary on the ground
• all opponents must be 10 yards from the ball
• all opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked outside the penalty area
• the ball is in play when it moves and travels outside the penalty area
• the ball cannot be touched or played a second time by the kicker until it has been touched or played by another player
• The free kick is taken from where the offence occurs unless it occurs within the goal area when the free kick shall be taken from any point within the goal area.
• the goal keeper cannot receive the ball directly into his hands
• If an opponent encroaches within 10 yards of the ball before the kick is taken, the referee shall delay the taking of the kick.
• The kick must be re taken if the ball is not kicked into play beyond the penalty area or it is touched or played by another player before it has travelled outside the penalty area.

Did you know?

If after the taking of an indirect free kick, the ball enters the goal without having been touched or played by another player, a goal kick would be awarded.

previous: Law 12 next: Law 14