Soccer coaching laws of the game Law 13 free kicks

Drills & Games

Practice Plans

Coaching Advice

Age groups

Coaching Theme

Resources

Subscribe

SUBSCRIBE

LOGIN

Subscribe today to access over 2500+ drills, 650+ ready made practice plans, and more.

These soccer coaching tips are designed to help coaches and players understand the laws of the game. This article looks at Law 13, which deals with free kicks.

Mini soccer All free kicks are direct and opponents must be 5 yards from the position the infringement took place.

Junior soccer 7-a-side Free kicks are direct or indirect - signalled by the referee. Opponents must be 7 yards away.

Junior soccer 11-a-side Free kicks are direct or indirect - signalled by the referee. Opponents must be 10 yards away.

For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker cannot 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

The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising their arm above their head. They maintain their arm in that position until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play. A goal can be scored only if the ball touches another player before it enters the goal. Therefore:

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.

Indirect free kicks can’t go straight into the goal. The ball must be stationary when kicked. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves. Direct and indirect free kicks inside the penalty area to defending team:

Opponents must be the required distance from the ball.

All opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play - the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area.

If a player takes a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than the required distance or still in the penalty area intercepts it, the referee must allow play to continue.

Direct free kick inside the penalty area to attacking team:

Direct free kick inside the penalty area is a penalty. See Law 14,

Indirect free kick inside the penalty area to attacking team:

All opponents must be the required distance from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on their own goal line.

Quick free kicks outside the penalty area:

If a player takes a free kick quickly and an opponent who is near the ball deliberately prevents them taking the kick, the referee must caution the player for delaying the restart of play.

If a player takes a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than the required distance from the ball intercepts it, the referee must allow play to continue.

Click the link to see Soccer coaching laws of the game Law 12, fouls and misconducts. Click the link for soccer coaching tips and drills to help players take quick free kicks.

Dave Clarke

Dave has excellent coaching credentials, having coached U9s - U16s at grassroots level for over 20 years. He holds a UEFA B license and is qualified in FA Youth Award modules 1, 2 and 3, as well as the Coerver Youth Diploma Module.

Subscriber Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."

Coaching Advice

Newsletter Sign Up

Join over 75k coaches that are saving time searching for fresh coaching ideas with our free email newsletter: ✔ New drills ✔ New games ✔ New warm-ups. Delivered direct to your email inbox

Small-sided game: Turn on the switch

Use this small-sided game to create gaps in the defence by switching play and then making the killer pass

Practice: Turn on the switch

Use this three-part session to create gaps in the defence by switching play and then making the killer pass.

Warm up: Turn on the switch

Use this three-part session to create gaps in the defence by switching play and then making the killer pass.

Practice 2: Through the thirds

This session develops players’ awareness and movement to build through defence and midfield.

Coaches Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."

Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful soccer coach

In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.

SUBSCRIBE

*includes 3 coaching manuals

Get Weekly Inspiration

All the latest techniques and approaches

Soccer Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use soccer drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.

We've been at the cutting edge of soccer coaching since we launched in 2007, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.