Question Number: 24771

Law 13 - Free Kicks 4/4/2011

RE: Competitive Under 15

Alan Lands of Linwood, NJ Atlantic asks...

1. On a free kick that is not a quick start the defending team forms a wall 7 yards from the ball which is just outside the PK area. The attacking team is taking a few seconds setting their play. The kicker does not ask for 10 yards. The ball is kicked and is blocked by the wall. Can the referee award a re-kick to the attacking team for failure to maintain the required distance.

2. Same as above except that after the wall is set up and as the kicker approaches the ball to kick, the wall encroaches 2 yards and the kick is blocked. Can the referee award a re-kick to the attacking team for failure to maintain the required distance.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alan
1. If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball intercepts it, the referee must allow play to continue. The defensive wall is 7 yards away, it may be retreating and the attacking team decide that it is advantageous to take the kick then it must accept the outcome. The referee has to decide if the action of the wall was an interception or encroachment. Jumping up or towards the ball IMO would be encroachment rather than an interception.
2. In this situation there is definite encroachment and the referee can either allow play to continue if there is a good advantage or he can stop play and order a retake of the free kick. He must also decide whether to take disciplinary action or not. If he does not caution he should certainly warn the defenders that a repeat will result in a caution.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

An attacking player may choose to take a quick free kick even though a defender is less than ten yards away. If the ball simply strikes or reaches the defender, play continues.

But, it the defender does something more - rushing the kicker, sticking out a leg, etc., the defender has committed misconduct. The referee may stop play, caution the defender, and order the kick retaken. As Ref McHugh notes, the wise referee may watch what happens on the kick before stopping play.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. Although you say this is not a quick restart, when the kicker decided to take the kick with the wall less than 10 yards, he gave up the right to the 10 yards. Play should be allowed to continue.

2. Entirely different scenario. Here the opponents have moved towards the kick and interfered with it. If reasonably close to the goal, the referee should wait a few seconds to see if an advantage results. If it does, let play continue. If not, stop play and retake. Personally, I think if you deem the action on the defenders sufficient to warrant stopping play you should also caution. At the least, verbally scold them

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

See Question: 24787