Free Kicks

1. Types and scoring

Free kicks are awarded against offences by players, substitutes, substituted/sent-off players and team officials. The referee signals an indirect kick with a raised arm until another player touches the ball, it leaves play or a direct goal is clearly impossible. Retake if the referee omits that signal and the ball goes directly into goal.

A direct free kick may score directly against the opponents. An indirect kick directly into the opposing goal gives a goal kick. Either type directly into the kicker's own goal gives a corner.

2. Position and procedure

Normally take the kick at the offence. An attacking indirect kick for an offence in the goal area moves to the nearest point of its line parallel to the goal line. A defending free kick in the goal area can be taken anywhere there.

Unauthorised entry, re-entry or departure generally uses the ball's position when play stopped. Off-field offences generally use the nearest boundary, with a penalty for a direct-free-kick offence at a point in the offender's penalty area. Other Laws can specify different positions.

• The ball must be still and becomes live when kicked and clearly moving. The kicker cannot play it again before another player touches it.
• Opponents stay 9.15 m away, except on their own goal line between the posts. For a defending team's kick inside its penalty area, opponents remain outside that area.
• Attackers stay at least 1 m from a defensive wall of three or more until the ball is live.
• Lifting with one or both feet is allowed, as is feinting. A legal, non-dangerous kick deliberately against an opponent to regain the ball is allowed.

3. Offences and sanctions

An opponent too close normally causes a retake unless advantage applies. But if a quick free kick is intercepted by an opponent still within 9.15 m, play continues. Deliberately preventing a quick kick earns a caution.

An attacker within 1 m of a qualifying wall when the kick is taken concedes an indirect free kick. Opponents who had no time to leave the penalty area do not automatically prevent a defending free kick; retake if one present early touches or challenges for the ball before it is live.

A second touch gives an indirect free kick. A handball second touch gives a direct free kick or, in the offender's penalty area, a penalty—except a goalkeeper's handling there gives an indirect free kick.