Free kick (association football)

[2] The free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred, with the following exceptions: The ball must be stationary and on the ground.

This distinguishes the free-kick from most other methods of restarting the game, from which it is not possible for a player to commit an offside offence.

A player who takes a free kick from the wrong position in order to force a retake, or who excessively delays the restart of play, is cautioned.

An opponent also may be cautioned (yellow card) for failing to retreat 9.15 m (10 yards),[5] or for deliberately preventing a quick free kick from being taken.

[5] Football governing bodies may provide further instruction to referees on administering quick free kicks; for example, the United States Soccer Federation advises that referees should not allow a quick free kick if a card is shown prior to the restart, if a trainer has to enter the field to attend to an injured player, if the kicking team requests enforcement of the 10-yard (9.15 m) rule, or if the referee needs to slow the pace of the match (e.g., to talk to a player).

[citation needed] The player taking the direct free kick may choose to strike the ball with as much force as possible, usually with the laces of the boot.

The kicker may also attempt to drive the shot under the wall formed by the opposition defenders using the inside of their boot in a passing manner.

In 2019, Law 13 was changed to require attacking players to maintain a minimum 1-metre (1-yard) distance from a defensive "wall" until the ball is in play.

[8] The concept of a free kick—i.e., an opportunity to kick the ball without being challenged by opponents—is found in public school football games from the early nineteenth century.

The fair catch was the most common reason for a free kick in football codes of the early nineteenth-century.

The first published laws of football, those of Rugby School in 1845, confirm that a free kick was awarded for a catch:[25] Charging is fair, in case of a place-kick, as soon as a ball has touched the ground; in case of a kick from a catch, as soon as the player's foot has left the ground, and not before.

[76] In 1867, Sheffield Football Club proposed to the FA that handling should be banned, with a free kick awarded as punishment for handball.

[79] In 1870, handling was completely banned in the FA laws, upon the basis of a proposal by Upton Park FC.

[83] These restrictions were proposed by Clapton Pilgrims, and amended by Francis Marindin of Royal Engineers FC.

[87] This requirement was made more precise in 1895: the ball "must make a complete circuit or travel the distance of its circumference" before being in play.

[88] In 1997, this requirement was eliminated: the ball became in play as soon as it was kicked and moved (and left the penalty area, if necessary; see below).

In 2007, the laws specified that feinting, and lifting the ball with one or both feet, were both legitimate methods of taking a free kick.

This change was made in order to remove any disadvantage that might come from being forced to take the kick from a "restricted position" near the goal-posts.

[99] In 1984, it was specified that an indirect free kick awarded for an offence within the opposing team's goal area should be taken at the closest point on the six-yard (5.5 m) line.

[102] In 1938, this punishment was eliminated; it was specified instead that, in the event of encroachment, the referee "shall delay the taking of the kick until the Law is complied with".

In 2019, the laws were modified to state that, if a team-mate of the kicker was closer than one metre to a "wall" formed by the defending team, an indirect free-kick should be awarded.

[106][107] In 1987, the Football Association (FA) obtained the permission of IFAB to test such a rule in the 1987-88 GM Vauxhall Conference.

[108][109] At the next annual meeting, the FA reported to IFAB that the experiment had, as predicted, "assisted further the non-offending team and also generated more action near goal, resulting in greater excitement for players and spectators"; it nevertheless withdrew the proposal.

[110] As mentioned above, the free kick was revived in 1872 to punish illegal handling (by the goalkeeper or any other player).

If [the opponents] can reach and destroy him before he catches, the danger is over ... Fond hope, it is kicked out and caught beautifully.

... Crab Jones ... has made a small hole with his heel for the ball to lie on, by which he is resting on one knee, with his eye on old Brooke.

Crab places the ball at the word, old Brooke kicks, and it rises slowly and truly as the School rush forward.