Law 13: Free Kicks Explained
Law 13 covers the procedures for taking direct and indirect free kicks, the positioning of opponents, the quick free kick, and when the kick is complete. It also addresses what happens when a free kick is taken incorrectly.
Key Points
- 1Opponents must be at least 9.15m from the ball until it is in play.
- 2The ball must be stationary when the kick is taken.
- 3For an indirect free kick, the referee raises an arm to signal it is indirect.
- 4A free kick taken inside the kicker's own goal area may be taken from any point in that area.
- 5If a quick free kick is taken and an opponent is too close, the referee may caution the opponent for delaying restart if they show no intent to move away quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must opponents stand from the ball at a free kick?
Opponents must be at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball. If a player does not retreat to this distance when asked, they may be cautioned for failing to respect the required distance.
Can a player score directly from an indirect free kick?
No. For a goal to stand from an indirect free kick, another player must touch the ball before it enters the goal. If the ball goes directly into the opponent's goal without touching another player, a goal kick is awarded. If it goes into the kicker's own goal, a corner kick is awarded.
What happens if the kicker touches the ball a second time before another player plays it?
If the kicker plays the ball a second time before another player has touched it, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opponents from the position where the offence occurred.
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