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Free-kicks shall be classified under two headings: "direct" (from
which a goal can be scored direct 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 passing through
the goal).
When a player is taking a direct or an IFK inside his own penalty-area, all
of the opposing players shall be at least ten yards (9.15m) from the ball and
shall remain outside the penalty- area until the ball has been kicked out of the
area. The ball shall be in play immediately it has traveled the distance of its
own circumference and is beyond the penalty-area. The goalkeeper shall not
receive the ball into his hands, in order that he may thereafter kick it into
play. If the ball is not kicked direct into play, beyond the penalty-area, the
kick shall be retaken.
When a player is taking a direct or an IFK outside his own penalty-area, all
of the opposing players shall be at least ten yards from the ball, until it is
in play, unless they are standing on their own goal-line, between the
goal-posts. The ball shall be in play when it has traveled the distance of its
own circumference.
If a player of the opposing side encroaches into the penalty- area, or within
ten yards of the ball, as the case may be, before a free-kick is taken, the
referee shall delay the taking of the kick, 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.
Notwithstanding any other reference in these Laws to the point from which a
free-kick is to be taken:
- Any free-kick awarded to the defending team, within its own goal-area, may
be taken from any point within the goal-area.
- Any IFK awarded to the attacking team within its opponent's goal-area
shall be taken from the part of the goal-area line which runs parallel to
the goal-line, at the point nearest where the offense was committed.
Punishment:
If the kicker, after taking the free-kick, plays the ball a second time
before it has been touched or played by another player, an IFK shall be taken by
a player of the opposing team from the spot where the infringement occurred,
unless the offense is committed by a player in his opponent's goal-area, in
which case, the free-kick shall be taken from any point within the goal-area.
Decisions of the International F.A. Board
- In order to distinguish between a direct and an IFK, the referee, when he
awards an IFK, shall indicate accordingly by raising an arm above his head.
He shall keep his arm in that position until the kick has been taken and
retain the signal until the ball has been played or touched by another
player or goes out of play.
- Players who do not retire to the proper distance when a free- kick is
taken must be cautioned and on any repetition be ordered off. It is
particularly requested of referees that attempts to delay the taking of a
free-kick by encroaching should be treated as serious misconduct.
- If, when a free-kick is being taken, any of the players dance about or
gesticulate in a way calculated to distract their opponents, it shall be
deemed ungentlemanly conduct for which the offender(s) shall be cautioned.
1992 Memorandum - Advice to Referees:
If an indirect free-kick is awarded to the attacking team for a foul by the
defenders in the goal area, the kick must still be taken from the point on the
goal-area line (parallel to the goal- line) nearest the spot where the offense
was committed.
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