Question Number: 28707

Law 13 - Free Kicks 9/7/2014

Arnie of Oak park , Ca USA asks...

Do you have to ask for 10 yards on a direct kick.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No. The attacking team is entitled to BOTH a quick free kick and the distance.

I believe the basis for a common player myth that the attacking team must ask comes from the notion that the referee will always set a wall after the attacking team asks for 10 yards.
But, the laws do not require them to ask. A wise referee will be proactive early in the match, using voice and presence, that the defending team must withdraw on a free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Arnie,
you can look into question 28687 as well
NO you do not have to ask but given the propensity for FIFA to be all over the disappearing spray foam idea it will sure seem like it as the future unfolds. I suspect we will have to pace out the yards as well Sigh! The reluctance to discipline players for flagrant disrespecting the mandatory ten yards and delaying restarts forced FIFA into this spray foam concept to stop the whining, bickering creep forward motions of the players rather the arbitrarily card players for not listening, not respecting and generally not caring. Players will do what is necessary to win matches and if they can influence a referee or even if they think they can they most certainly will try to do so.
One huge issue is the restart location, the closer to a scoring area the greater the need to ensure it becomes a blade of grass restart more so that a general area restart. Upon a quick kick restart far too often the ball is not even close to the point of the foul which the defenders will be on about as grossly unfair never mind they did the deed that caused it! sigh As a referee try not to intervene directly unless you INTEND to ceremonially restart, it will go badly if you are perceived as interfering with the restart yourself! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Arnie
If a player wishes to take a quick free kick then the referee will generally allow that unless there us some reason not to such as a caution, injury etc.
if a player takes a quick kick and the ball is intercepted within 10 yards then the player must accept the outcome.

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

See Question: 28716