XIII. FREE KICK

Free kicks shall be classified under two headings: "direct" (from which a goal can be scored directly against the offending side) and "indirect" (from which a goal cannot be scored unless the ball has been played or touched by a player other than the kicker before entering the goal).

In order to distinguish between a direct and an indirect free kick, the referees, when awarding an indirect free kick, shall indicate accordingly by raising an arm above their heads. They shall keep their arms in that position until the kick has been taken and until the ball has been played or touched by another player or goes out of play.

When a player is taking a free kick, all of the opposing players shall be at least 5 m from the ball until it is in play. The ball shall be in play after it has travelled the distance of its own circumference.

If a player of the opposing side approaches within 5 m of the ball before a free kick is taken, the referees shall order the free kick to be retaken until the Law is complied with.

The ball must be stationary when a free kick is taken, and the kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been touched or played by another player.

PUNISHMENT:

  1. If the player taking the free kick, after having kicked the ball, plays it a second time before it has been touched or played by another player, an indirect free kick shall be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred. However, if it is committed within the penalty area, the indirect free kick shall be taken from the 6 m line at the place nearest to where the infringement occurred.

  2. If the team taking the free kick takes more than 4 seconds to do so, the referees shall award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.