Fouls - Part 2

Direct free kick fouls result in direct free kicks (DFK) and indirect free kick fouls result in indirect free kicks (IFK). Simple, right? What’s the difference? A goal can be scored from a DFK with no intermediate action. That is, the ball can be kicked directly from its spot on the ground into the net and a goal is scored. On an IFK, a goal cannot be scored directly from the kick; it must be touched by a player other than the kicker for a goal to be scored. The second touch can come from either team. By the way, the penalty kick (PK) is just a special case of the DFK, because the infraction has occurred within the penalty area (hence, the name) of the defending team. Note that an IFK foul does NOT result in a PK, even if it occurs inside the penalty area.

How can the spectators (or players and coaches, for that matter) tell what type of free kick has been awarded? That’s easy. Look at the referee. If the free kick is indirect, after pointing in the direction of the kick, the referee will hold one arm straight up in the air until the second touch has taken place. The lowering of his arm indicates that a goal can now be scored by either team. If it is a general DFK, he will give no additional signal after indicating the direction of the kick. If the referee awards a PK, he will point downward at the penalty spot, a position marked on the pitch directly in front of the middle of the goal and halfway between the top of the penalty area and the top of the goal box.

Is the choice of DFK or IFK at the discretion of the referee? No. The LOTG specify the nature of the kick to be awarded based on the infraction. That is how the DFK and IFK fouls are classified.

So, what is the “free” part of DFK and IFK? A free kick can be taken anytime at the discretion of the team taking the kick – the team that was fouled. They do not need to wait on any signal from the referee or on the status of the defending team. That is, the kicking team is not required to wait for the defenders to set “the wall” or anything else. They must satisfy only two conditions prior to taking the kick – the ball must be approximately at the point of the foul, and the ball must be stationary.

During a free kick, the defending team MUST retire 10 yards (8 yards at the youth level) in any direction from the spot of the kick. They must do so AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE without being told by the referee. Failure to do so, places the offenders in jeopardy of being shown the yellow card, although this rarely happens for a first offense, unless it is blatant. If the referee is required to intervene, some technical changes occur – for instance, the kick cannot be taken until the referee whistles.

On a related note, the positioning of the ball is different in each case, but a goal kick, a corner kick, and a kick-off after a goal or to start a half are also free kicks and the opposing team must respect the required distance.

Advantage

Sometimes a team in possession of the ball obtains or retains an attacking positional advantage on the field despite an obvious foul. A good referee will allow "the advantage" to continue and not call the foul. It does NOT mean that he did not see the foul or did not judge it to be a foul. But why stop play and remove the advantage? In such circumstances, the referee should give the standard "advantage" signal (both arms swept forward and upward) and shout "advantage" or "play on." Even if the foul merits a caution or send-off, the card can be displayed later (but before the next restart of play).

If the expected advantage does not materialize within a couple of seconds, the referee can still stop play and penalize the foul with a free kick. Advantage can mean as little as retaining possession in the attacking portion of the field. It does not have to produce an immediate shot on goal.

Be glad to have a referee who displays the ability to assess the advantage situation accurately.