Question Number: 23439

Law 13 - Free Kicks 6/8/2010

RE: high school, all ayso levels, select and club Under 19

greg t of torrance, ca usa asks...

Interesting discussions ensue when referees get together regarding at what point the ball is actually 'in play' during the taking of a free kick. Please shed some light on this subject so that I may educate others. Thanks! greg t.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Greg
The ball is in play the moment it is kicked and moved by a player. Many years ago the ball had to move its circumference before it was in play but not any longer. Once it is kicked and moves it is in play.
The same would apply to other kicked restart such as a kick off and a corner kick. In the case of a goal kick or free kick within the penalty area by the defedning team the ball is in play when it leaves the penalty area. In the case of a penalty kick or an attacking IDFK inside the penalty area the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

USSF advice highlights the notion that the referee must have a feel for the game in deciding what constitutes the ball in play and what constitutes the ordinary adjustment to the placement of the ball that occurs before the kick.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A definition used by USSF in recent years is that moved means 'from here to there'. There must be some discernable change in location, not just a tremble or wobble.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Law 13 says the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves (unless it is in the penalty area and coming out, in which case it must first exit the PA). Kicked is pretty simple. The foot swings or drags the ball from point A to point B, an observable movement and distance however small. The referee decides if the movement is enough to for the ball to be in play, and referees should be reasonable here.

Stepping on the ball or tapping it with the foot is not kicking the ball, and is not sufficient to put the ball into play, in spite of all the coaches who think they have 'trick' plays for corners, etc.

Some referees persist in believing, in spite of the very clear words in Law 13, that an IDFK isn't 'in play' until it touches another player. That is false. It can't SCORE until it touches another player.

Thanks for helping us get the word out.