Question Number: 16095

Law 13 - Free Kicks 7/24/2007

RE: Rec Under 11

Bill of Grand Rapids, Mi USA asks...

Esteemed Collogues,

I was an AR in a recreation tournament Team A passes back to their keeper. The proper call was made, Team B awarded an IFK. The ball was placed on the 6 yard line and 2 players from team B are standing near the ball. Team A was scrambling trying to figure out where to stand and never set up on the goal line. Team B player 1 touches the ball with the bottom of his cleat and player 2 scores a goal. The ball never moved an inch on the first touch. I raise my flag; the ref gave me the lower your flag signal so I complied. Was the right call made by the center ref? What else could I have done as AR?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The ball is in play when it is "kicked and moves". If the ball did not move, it was NOT put in play and thus a goal kick should have been awarded. Also note that simply passing back to the keeper is NOT a foul unless the keeper handles a ball kicked to him deliberatly by a teammate.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Ref Mueller is correct that the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. Kicking is done with the foot; it can certainly be done with the bottom of the foot, as long as it is not simply a tap and the ball moves. You didn't see it move, but evidently the center did see it move, as he waved you down. I'm glad you assisted, not insisted.

As for team A milling about not knowing how to properly defend against a quick free kick, well that's their problem isn't it?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The referee either decided the ball had been "kicked and moved" or he was unaware of the recent interpretation as to what constitutes "kicked and moved". Currently, a tap on top of the ball is not sufficient.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Here is what Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game states:

13.5 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. 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 motion) and moved (caused to go from one place to another). Being "kicked" does not include an action in which the ball is dragged by continuous contact with the foot. Being "moved" does not include the ball simply quivering, trembling, or shaking as a result of light contact. The referee must make the final decision on what is and is not "kicked and moved" based on the spirit and flow of the match. [Ed: In all events, the ball must put into play properly].

The referee must judge carefully whether any particular kick of the ball and subsequent movement was indeed reasonably taken with the intention of putting the ball into play rather than with the intention merely to position the ball for the restart. If the ball is just being repositioned (even if the foot is used to do this), play has not been restarted. Likewise, referees should not unfairly punish for "failing to respect the required distance" when an opponent was clearly confused by a touch and movement of the ball which was not a restart.

The referee must make the final decision on what is a "kick" and what is "not a kick" based on his or her feeling for the game-what FIFA calls "Fingerspitzengef?hl" (literally: "sensing with one's fingertips"). The bottom line is that not everything that produces movement of the ball is a kick and thus would not legally put the ball into play in any of the kicking restarts.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

As AR you did what you did for the reasons you know are correct and wished to relay that information. Post game I would have a WORD with the CR as to why he waved me off but in the end the referee in charge decided that your point of view was unneccessary and thus your job is now done. His match, his decision, his reputation.
Could the ball have ticked any other player on the way into goal? ANY second touch after the kick (discounting the sole rest 1st as insignificant is correct in my opinion) could make the goal valid!
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 16127