Soccer coaching laws of the game Law 13 free kicks

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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.

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