Question Number: 29009

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/24/2014

RE: Under 13

Jeff of San Francisco, California USA asks...

I had a situation this past weekend where the free kick was taken from about 20 yards out from the goal. The defenders straight away formed a wall '5 yards away, and when I placed the ball I asked the kicker (just to him) if he wanted 10 yards and he said 'No I don't'. He then attempted a fast restart and kicked the ball directly into the wall.

At this point (after the kick into the wall) his coach began screaming at me, saying I needed to move the defenders back and that 'I can't rely on a 12 year old to make the call and that I am paid to make that call', even though kids from 10 years old know the first thing to do on free kicks is to 'ask for 10' and these particular boys were Division 1 select team in a State Cup game.

At what distance from the ball on a free kick do you need to not allow the restart and take action against defenders being too close? Obviously defenders cannot stand directly in front of the ball, 1-2 yards away from it, purposely trying to delay the restart, at which point I prevent the restart and yell at them to back up. But typically when they are between 5-10 yards away I do not take action unless the kicker asks for ten yards to allow for fast restarts, etc.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jeff
Thanks for the question. Regular visitors will see the question being asked frequently.
Here is a USSF training video on the subject
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov4PiPOICJs
Now IMO if the referee has to ask it is in my opinion not a QFK. The best decision is to then make the kick ceremonial and the question does not arise.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Jeff,

While the attacking team always has the right to a quick free kick, referees can use their experience to manage the situation. You can look at the actions of the players to assume what the correct path is.

If the attacking team is running up to place the ball quickly, stand back. If they're taking their time setting up the ball, then I'd say they're expecting a ceremonial restart. If it's somewhere in the middle, then that's when it's probably better to ask.

Having said that, I've refereed some very professional players at this age - and younger - where it's appropriate to ask them this question (as they understand it better than some low grade adults). Use your feel for the match.

But you should also consider the experience and maturity of the players. I wouldn't be asking a player at that age the question; they'd almost certainly not have the experience or coaching to fully understand the question. Instead, I'd be using the cues from the player's actions. As player's get older it's a bit easier to show them a bit more independence.

Additionally, if you have already intervened, then you need to make it ceremonial. In this instance, you've placed the ball. By doing that, you're already controlling the kick, so make it ceremonial. Try not to place the ball yourself - let the players do it; though occasionally it seems necessary at young ages!

So for me, the fact that you placed the ball is the area that should have led to it being ceremonial - generally speaking, if the players want it quick, then it's quick.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jeff,
good for you for having the testicular fortitude to become a referee, notice how coaches just love to shout encouragement and advice? lol
Screaming coaches, needed to be reminded that their only directive under the LOTG are they must act reasonably within their technical area.
As you gain experience and become better at reading the game I hope you can glean that situational awareness is a micromanagement of the match at each and every decision. Things are constantly in flux. The clear decision, the non decision, the possible decision, are all in play, interdependent on the actions and reactions of those playing. You witnessed a foul, blew the whistle, stopped play. You indicated who the foul was against and thus which team receives the free kick and what type of free kick it is and point to the spot where the free kick is to occur!

Now The LOTG are in effect the entire time!

The LOTG state VERY clearly that the team taking the FREE operative word 'free' kick have the right to do so without the opposition being CLOSER than ten yards away. In fast it is an OFFENCE and a form of misconduct by any opponent to delay the restart or fail to respect the distance .

Now the defenders have no rights other than for a FAIR RESTART and that you are not interfering with their choices. Once you chose to intervene by actually grabbing the ball and placing it, then asking the kicker if he wants what in fact the LOTG at the very MINIMUM DEMAND he should have! 5 yards is WAY too close NOT to see clearly if they are still in retreat!

That to me has indicated the kick should now be headed down the ceremonial path. Eye contact, WAIT FOR WHISTLE, exact blade of grass restart, 2o yards out front goal it is a great scoring opportunity! Please ensure there is no reason it need not be unless the team taking the kick chooses to flub it up!

The USSF is quite definitive about the referee not initially interjecting his presence on a restart even verbal clues, wanting only the players to sort it out! Expecting the referee to be smart enough, experienced enough, aware enough to decipher their actions, their verbal and non verbal clues, body language, plaintive whining, eye rolling, and gestures.

So now your focus is split between the teams as you search for those subtle and not so subtle signals as you decide to act or not act, or wait or not wait, back off or charge in. Whistle poised seeing who is doing what and why, wondering if the time is now or later? Are the attackers not really sure what they want? Anything you need to be doing or not doing?

Are the defenders following the LOTG? Is what they are doing affecting the attackers from getting the ball in play? Ten yards in all directions by the way, not 4 or 5 yards! Or even 6 to 8 yards! Those defenders already far away in one direction think their right to get back to defend extends to a walk or run towards the ball so they can get ten yards away towards their own goal by travelling 16-20 yards just casually in line with the balls projected flight path is no accident. Getting in behind the ball is a tactical taught approach and those referees who think it is ok to have a few seconds to sort out where everyone should be by allowing it have effectively killed off many a non quickly taken free kick


The recent trend in the use of the disappearing foam in my opinion is a clear FAILURE on the part of officials world wide to act appropriately on these restarts over the years.

I make it ABUNDANTLY clear to the teams in any pregame chat if there is one required for id and equipment checks that FREE is indeed the optimum word on free kick situations and how UNWISE it is to not withdraw a safe MINIMUM distance in a quick and efficient manner so there are no unreasonable delays. I also hold the team taking the restart to not waste or continue to use up time once I have indicated they should be getting the ball back into play. I always permit questions from players if they wish to confirm any possible consequences or if they harbour any doubts about what these consequences are!

A good solid pregame with your ARs should discuss free kicks and how they might help control the situation if they are near to the action.

When you ask for advice it is difficult to help another what to do based on what we or I might choose to do, not knowing if you are comfortable doing these things. I am very pro active in creating a working relationship with all those I come into contact with on the pitch. I engage on a very personal level and am quite vocal about encouraging parents to ask questions. I engage them to offer their time to volunteer, to be respectful and I will make sometime to answer queries after the match. I often get them to pick a player from the opposing team to signal out as the best representative of what the game of soccer represents. It helps them focus on the kids in understanding the sporting aspect and effort not just the result. I ensure the fans, parents are far back from the touchlines so as not to interfere with my ARS who are not to be bothered in any way during the match!

As with the parents I again engage the coaches or kids to ask questions as well.
I SPECIFICALLY spell out in any pregame talk with the team during equipment check or see the id cards to go over some very FUNDEMENTAL aspects of a match!

HI all, its a great day to play the beautiful game! I am Fair not perfect!
My ARs (who are cleat checking shin guards and ids ) are 100% off limits to ANY abuse or dissent!
Any questions?

You may ask to talk to me IF respectful! IF the time is appropriate! But IF I say no it is no! More than willing to discuss AFTER the match any concerns you have provided we are calm. I will not engage in an argument nor be yelled at!
Any questions?

YOU ALWAYS PLAY the whistle, not the flag, the flag is ONLY for me, the Whistle is ONLY for you!
Any questions?

On free kick restarts it could be most unwise to delay or fail to respect the distance. (unfortunately I am very anal about delaying restarts perhaps too quick to caution, so I attempt to warn them of this condition )
Any questions?

I discuss any special match conditions or tournament rules.
Any questions?

I go over substitutions a youth matches (it is often the single biggest use of non match time!) All substitution happen at centre!( 4th if present controls this) those substituting MUST be there before the stoppage! And at a proper stoppage, on your possession, when the opponent subs or on my approval, those there MUST substitute!. Because if I see you there, you are telling me you want to sub, so if I stop play, you sub, please know who you are taking off!
Any player substituted must hustle off the field , you may leave the field at any point but MUST raise the hand to indicate you are off the field, be sure I see you and I will wave in your substitute, who will hustle into position for the restart . It would be most unwise to not follow these protocols.
Any questions!

Captains I will whistle for the coin flip shortly!
The rest of you! Have fun! Play safe!



If you allow gamesmanship to flourish on free kicks or in fact on any restart situations it generally gets much worse once it begins if nothing is done about it! check out question 28963 28760 for more on free kicks

Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

Jeff,

You have some very good and in-depth answers here so I will keep it short and sweet. Unless the player puts the ball down and immediately takes the quick free kick, they are not likely to, especially around goal. Assume that it will be ceremonial and remember, if YOU interfere with play (by asking if they want 10, requesting the defense move back, etc.), that the kick automatically becomes ceremonial.

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

See Question: 29015