The OFFICIAL SOCCER SITE - Law 13

XIII - Free Kicks

Types of Free Kicks

Free kicks are either direct or indirect.

For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

The Direct Free Kick

if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponents' goal, a goal is awarded
if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the team's own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team

The Indirect Free Kick

Signal

The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his head. He maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.

Ball Enters the Goal

A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal.

if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents' goal, a goal kick is awarded

if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team's own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team

Position of Free Kick

Free Kick Inside the Penalty Area

Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team:

all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball

all opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play

the ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area

a free kick awarded in the goal area is taken from any point inside that area

Indirect free kick to the attacking team:

all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on their own goal line between the goalposts

the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves

an indirect free kick awarded inside the goal area is taken from that part of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred

Free Kick Outside the Penalty Area

all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play

the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves

the free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred

Infringements/Sanctions

If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the required distance:

the kick is retaken

If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own penalty area, the ball is not kicked directly into play:

the kick is retaken

Free kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:

an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred * (see preface)

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:

a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred* (see preface)

a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker's penalty area

Free kick taken by the goalkeeper

If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second time (except with his hands), before it has touched another player:

an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred* (see preface)

If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:

a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred* (see preface)

an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper's penalty area, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred * (see preface)

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