Free Kick Restarts - At What Point Can the Kick Be Taken Fairly

[Marquis de Sage]

In the Brazil - Spain U20 game, Spain level 2-2 on what appeared to be a controversial free kick. Brazil was setting up its wall and the referee had backed away from the ball but appeared to still be directing the Spanish players to some degree. Galavision had footage of a Brazilian motioning for a whistle; that appeared to happen before the kick had been taken. . .

What's the rule on this? I consulted the "Laws of the Game" for both restarts and free kicks, and neither is particularly helpful. Please support any answers either with (1) Rules of the Game; or (2) FIFA Circulars; or (3) other authority.

Here's a link to highlights of the game:

http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/video/videolist.html

A similar Ryan Giggs goal against Lille was allowed in this past season's Champion's League. There the referee made a much more deliberate motion away from the ball, signaling that he was done "directing traffic." The commentary below makes mention of requesting a whistle, but I haven't found that anywhere in the laws.

Here's the Giggs goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKTiFoAFOlg

Thanks, MdS

[bluedevils]

Well, I don't feel like looking anything up right now, but a couple general points:

1. the kicking team is entitled to the 10 yards regardless of whether they 'ask for it'.

2. the defending team is NOT entitled to a whistle before the kick is taken, regardless of whether they ask for it.

3. in my opinion, sometimes referees create problems and bad feelings when their actions/positioning/body language is such that people are expecting a whistle, even though their actions may not be breaking any Laws of the Game. This point was debated quite extensively in a BigSoccer referee thread a while back regarding the Man U / Lille match you referenced.

4. many many many teams and players do not understand or accept points 1 and 2, which causes frequent management issues for the referee.

[bdndyc]

The day after the Giggs situation I met former English premiership referee Alan Wilkie (he sent off Eric Cantona on the day of the infamous kung-fu kick) and asked him the very same question, as a former premier league ref I knew his answer would be reliable! :P

He said that the referee needs to give a sufficient signal to hte defending team that the kick is ok to be taken, even if that was a clear hand gesture or a whistle right as the foot was about to conneect with the ball. In the case of the Giggs free-kick the referee simply walked away from the ball which Mr Wilkie didn't feel was sufficient signal enough.

I've not seen the Spain goal as the video won't load for me but from what you've described I would suggest this is the same.

When you're in the middle you controll when a free-kick is taken, if you allow the kick to be taken quickly you are perfectly within your right to do so, so long as you give some kind of clear signal it's happening, but you can also create problems for youself this way.

The law as I interpret it is that the kick can be taken at any point after it's been awarded and any misconduct through cards etc has been dealt with, and the referee is happy for the game to restart.

Make sure you're comfortable with the restart every time and you'll be following the laws and hopefully not making any problems for yourself.

[ref47]

i had one of these in a recent men's match (eritreans). 30 yards out i call a foul against team a. team b plants the ball, goes a quick restart. team a just stands and watches, including the keeper. team b closes on goal and puts the ball in; team a and its keeper still watching. i signal goal (point to center circle). team a is all over me. you did not blow the whistle - the whistle was not required. you let them restart with our team closer than 10 yards - that was team b's choice and legal. they did not spot the ball properly - it was within 2 yards of the foul and was not moving.

you can find guidance in the ussf atr on the ussoccer.com site. look under law 13.

basically, once the foul is called the ref steps back and waits. offended team may start as quickly as they like. or, they can ask for the 10 yards to be inforced, which causes the match to need a signal from the ref for the restart. without that request, or without the ref deciding that he needs to step in and organize the restart, no signal or permission to restart is needed. you can do some minor direction without going to a signaled restart, but you must be carefull not to confuse anyone that a signal will be needed. things like saying - give him 10, or back off guys, for me are ok without going signaled restart. if you become the first brick, or indicate where the 10 distance is, then you have overstepped the line for allowing an uncontrolled restart and need to tell everyone a signal will be needed.

[bluedevils]

The day after the Giggs situation I met former English premiership referee Alan Wilkie (he sent off Eric Cantona on the day of the infamous kung-fu kick) and asked him the very same question, as a former premier league ref I knew his answer would be reliable! :P

He said that the referee needs to give a sufficient signal to the defending team that the kick is ok to be taken, even if that was a clear hand gesture or a whistle right as the foot was about to conneect with the ball. In the case of the Giggs free-kick the referee simply walked away from the ball which Mr Wilkie didn't feel was sufficient signal enough.

...if you allow the kick to be taken quickly you are perfectly within your right to do so, so long as you give some kind of clear signal it's happening.

Well, I personally do not agree with this viewpoint. "the referee needs to give a sufficient signal to the defending team that the kick is ok to be taken." I'd agree with this, ONLY for situations in which the referee has decided and indicated that the free kick will be a ceremonial restart.

The referee is under no obligation to give "some kind of clear signal" that a quick FK is being taken, or that he is okay with a quick FK being taken. Think about watching games on TV...do we regularly see referees giving verbal or physical indication that they are okay with a quick FK being taken? It seems to me that this almost NEVER happens. Most quick FKs, the ref sees what is going on and he allows the ball to be put back into play and he goes on about his business without making a signal to acknowledge his approval of the quick FK.

[bluedevils]

i had one of these in a recent men's match (eritreans)...

Good post, agree with what you said.

you can do some minor direction without going to a signaled restart, but you must be carefull not to confuse anyone that a signal will be needed. things like saying - give him 10, or back off guys, for me are ok without going signaled restart.
I agree with you but have always wondered about this, as I consider it a bit of a gray area. I should ask a few of the higher-ups for their 2 cents. I've generally heard that ref should not get involved with quick FK situations, but also generally heard that ref should be proactive in getting the defenders back 10 yards -- i.e. don't wait for the attackers to request 10 yds before you step in and help. The thing is, these 2 ideas are somewhat conflicting ideas.

if you become the first brick, or indicate where the 10 distance is, then you have overstepped the line for allowing an uncontrolled restart and need to tell everyone a signal will be needed.
Agreed. Once you have done this, you definitely need to make the restart ceremonial.

[IASocFan]

I don't know if it helps, but I include my expectations on free kicks and substitution during my pregame with players. Kids seem to frequently ignore my substitution procedures, but seem to take notice when we get to free kicks. I usually mark the spot or make them move the ball sufficiently close to the spot, and warn any potential problem defenders to back off 10 yards. For high school and u15-19, it seems to work well. I've only had to give a few yellow cards for delaying the restart, and most any goal scored from free kicks is because the defense doesn't get organized in a timely fashion - usually their fault not mine.

[J'can]

Just a brief comment on what one poster said above about the ref giving some inclination that the FK will be taken quickly. the point of a quick restart is to punish the defending team. if the ref signals that the FK is being taken quickly then that punishment gos away and the advantage goes to the defending team and then it becomes no different that if the ref should signal a restart.

the problem here happens when the wall is being set. the keeper most times is organizing the wall and i beielve that the defending team should put a player (maybe a froward) behind the ball so he can see what the potential freekick taker is seeing and set the wall and thus commnicate with the GK. if may take time in training to get the signals worked out. this way not only can the defending team hear if a question is being asked of the ref as to a quick restart, but the player can direct the wall as well. i am surporsied more teams dont do this.

[GKbenji]

Just a brief comment on what one poster said above about the ref giving some inclination that the FK will be taken quickly. the point of a quick restart is to punish the defending team. if the ref signals that the FK is being taken quickly...

As has been pointed out, the referee need NOT make any such signal. The team awarded the kick may take it at ANY time without any signal from the referee (assuming, of course, the ball is in the right spot and stationary). The ball is in play as soon as it is kicked and moves.

The only time the referee needs to signal is when he wishes to step in for some reason, to caution a player, set the wall, etc. If the ref does so, he needs to make sure he clearly communicates to both teams that the kick will not be taken until the signal (whistle).

[J'can]

As has been pointed out, the referee need NOT make any such signal. The team awarded the kick may take it at ANY time without any signal from the referee (assuming, of course, the ball is in the right spot and stationary). The ball is in play as soon as it is kicked and moves.

The only time the referee needs to signal is when he wishes to step in for some reason, to caution a player, set the wall, etc. If the ref does so, he needs to make sure he clearly communicates to both teams that the kick will not be taken until the signal (whistle).

Not sure if you read all of my post. In any event I agree with you. i was trying to say what I think the reason behind not having the ref having to signal the quick start is (and the reason I gave was that the attacking team loses the advantage if the defending team knows that it is a quick start). Having said all that yes, the ref does not have to signal the quick start if the things you mentioned in your post are met.........

[blech]

Just a brief comment on what one poster said above about the ref giving some inclination that the FK will be taken quickly. the point of a quick restart is to punish the defending team. if the ref signals that the FK is being taken quickly then that punishment gos away and the advantage goes to the defending team and then it becomes no different that if the ref should signal a restart.

the problem here happens when the wall is being set. the keeper most times is organizing the wall and i beielve that the defending team should put a player (maybe a froward) behind the ball so he can see what the potential freekick taker is seeing and set the wall and thus commnicate with the GK. if may take time in training to get the signals worked out. this way not only can the defending team hear if a question is being asked of the ref as to a quick restart, but the player can direct the wall as well. i am surporsied more teams dont do this.

I wouldn't say that the "point" of the quick restart is to "punish" the defending team. Rather, it is that the defending team, having committed a foul, is not entitled to time to set up if the attacking team desires to play. Perhaps we're saying the same thing. But it's not really a punishment, just something that the defending does not get to benefit from.

Re this situation, I saw nothing wrong with how this play panned out. The brazilian player asked for a ceremonial restart, and the ref told him to get back 10 yards. As noted above, the defending team has no right to a ceremonial restart, and I saw nothing from the ref to indicate that one would be given. Having generally told the defending team to get back, it looks to me that the ref essentially asked if the Spanish team wanted him to walk off and mark the wall, and they said they would rather kick. The game would be better, in my opinion, if more refs would take this approach. If players are within 2-5 yards of the ball and not backing up, I do not hesitate to tell them to back up, and I do not believe it means that anything has changed with respect to the attacking team's right to restart if they desire. If the wall is 7-8 yards back and they want me to step it off, then we go through ceremony.

[intechpc]

Well I'm about 10 minutes from running a line on a semi here at ODP so I don't have time to respond to every detail of the previous posts. Here's the gist. If the referee is going to direct the wall any more than a quick "Back up" and/or directional indication from a distance, the referee should be indicating to all that a ceremonial restart is to take place. This avoids all the confusion. Once a ceremonial has been indicated all must wait for the signal from the referee to take the kick. Plain and simple. One of the most important aspects of refereeing is clear communication and unfortunately in this case that failed.

[blech]

*** Once a ceremonial has been indicated all must wait for the signal from the referee to take the kick. Plain and simple. One of the most important aspects of refereeing is clear communication and unfortunately in this case that failed.

I agree that clear communication is important, but I don't follow why you believe he failed in this instance. He did indicate that there would be a ceremonial restart. Was his failure in not telling Brazil that Spain could take a quick restart if they wanted? They're supposed to know that. The fact that Brazil wanted a ceremonial restart or that the Brazilian defender held up his hand to ask that the whistle be blown doesn't change anything. If the referee communicated to them that play was stopped and would not start without a whistle, then there is a problem with what happened. But he's under no obligation to explain those niceties of the Laws to them, particularly at this level.

(I mean if it's a u10-rec game and they want to know why my arm is in the air, I'll tell them if they ask, but I don't think I'm failing to communicate if I'm using standard signals and following standard procedures, and here the standard procedure is that the kick can proceed anytime the kicking team wants unless the ref has signalled otherwise).

[intechpc]

He did indicate that there would be a ceremonial restart. Was his failure in not telling Brazil that Spain could take a quick restart if they wanted?

Is that a typo or did you really mean to say that?? If a referee indicates a ceremonial restart the offense CANNOT take a quick kick. Once the referee has indicated that the kick will be ceremonial, the offense must wait for the referee's signal to take the kick.

Now I did not see the match and the video does not show the events leading up to the kick. If the referee did signal that the restart would be ceremonial, then he should have called back the goal if the kick was taken early.

My understanding from the original description is that the referee did not signal a ceremonial restart but did take the time to set the wall. This sends mixed signals to the players and that is my point. Proper referee technique dictates that before setting the wall, it should be indicated to all that the kick will take place on the referees signal. If the referee in this case did that, then the defense has a reasonalbe expectation for a signal indicating that the kick can go ahead.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the scenario that played out here???

[blech]

Is that a typo or did you really mean to say that?? If a referee indicates a ceremonial restart the offense CANNOT take a quick kick. Once the referee has indicated that the kick will be ceremonial, the offense must wait for the referee's signal to take the kick.

Now I did not see the match and the video does not show the events leading up to the kick. If the referee did signal that the restart would be ceremonial, then he should have called back the goal if the kick was taken early.

My understanding from the original description is that the referee did not signal a ceremonial restart but did take the time to set the wall. This sends mixed signals to the players and that is my point. Proper referee technique dictates that before setting the wall, it should be indicated to all that the kick will take place on the referees signal. If the referee in this case did that, then the defense has a reasonalbe expectation for a signal indicating that the kick can go ahead.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the scenario that played out here???

Doh. It was a typo. Oops. Definitely changes the entire meaning to leave out the word "NOT"...... Obviously, if he had indicated ceremonial, he needs to signal, but I do NOT believe that occurred. Sorry about that.

Also, re the description, I don't believe he "set" the wall. I'm not going back to watch it again now, but I recall as follows: he called the foul, we went to the ball the brazil players came up to him (perhaps to protest the call and perhaps to delay the restart - pick your other purpose if you want), he told them to get back, the brazil player did the signal asking for a whistle to restart, he again told them to get back and they retreated (somewhat), he then turned back to the ball, if I'm guessing he then asked them if they wanted him to step it off but he may not have even done that, he stepped to the side, and the Spanish player took the kick.

Maybe we're disagreeing about what it means to "set" the wall, but for my observation he basically was at or about the location of the foul and told them that he wasn't going to hear any dissent and they needed to get back. That doesn't equate to setting the wall in the way that I think about it, and that direction of "get back 10" does not require (or entitle the defending team to) a ceremonial restart. When I think of "setting" the wall, I'm thinking of the ref going approx 10 yards and indicating where the wall needs to get back to, and I didn't believe that ever happened here.

The part I'm quibbling over is that the suggestion was that he failed to communicate properly. While I certainly made that error when I left out the word "NOT" above :), I don't see how this ref can be accused of that when he had no obligation to communicate.

I'm digressing here, but frankly, in terms of mechanics, I like the way this ref handled it (which is probably why I am going to such lengths to defend him). He made it pretty clear that they didn't get to stand over the ball and prevent a quick restart which caused them to get back 7-8 yards, and then he asked and/or waited to see if Spain wanted the full 10 or to proceed without it. I wouldn't say that it is a standard pre-game message that I give, but if I'm "setting" a wall, they had better be at least 7-8 yards back, because otherwise they're not even trying to respect the distance. If they force me to give a card because they won't even get back that basic distance, then they've forced the ceremonial, but they don't get a ceremonial just because I remind them that they need to get back. (And, if they think otherwise, I don't believe it's because of my failure to communicate).

[jkc313]

I think it best to simplify. First, the defending team, that is the team that commited the foul have NO RIGHTS. Second, the referee must do nothing to further disadvantage the fouled team. Third, once the referee signals the direction of the kick, the only obligation he has is to not hinder the taking of a free kick and to punish the defenders of any obvious infraction. For example, a DFK is awarded to Team A. A member of Team B immediately steps in front of the ball preventing a free kick. I will always caution that player to nip this beahviour in the bud. Far too many players think there's a right to form a wall. Lastly, if the kicking team asks for 10 yards you clearly tell the kicker NOT to take the kick until you signal and then you back up the wall to where you want. At that point you give a clear signal that the kick may proceed

[intechpc]

Also, re the description, I don't believe he "set" the wall. I'm not going back to watch it again now, but I recall as follows: he called the foul, we went to the ball the brazil players came up to him (perhaps to protest the call and perhaps to delay the restart - pick your other purpose if you want), he told them to get back, the brazil player did the signal asking for a whistle to restart, he again told them to get back and they retreated (somewhat), he then turned back to the ball, if I'm guessing he then asked them if they wanted him to step it off but he may not have even done that, he stepped to the side, and the Spanish player took the kick.

If this is the series of events then I'd agree with you that it was handled properly. This is the type of direction I described earlier as being from afar. If the referee did not specifically set the location for the wall and merely directed them to back up then it was handled fine IMO. I fully agree the defense has no rights and certainly cannot demand that the referee conduct a cermonial. I think we're actually on the same page as far as mechanics based on your description of the events.