RULE 6 - Direct and Indirect Free Kicks
Direct and indirect kicks are two primary ways that play is restarted after the
referee stops play for an infraction.
For both of these the ball must be stationary before it is kicked and the opposing
players should be a minimum of 10 yards away (this distance is adjusted because our fields are not regulation size.
Please keep this in mind when trying to make sure the players are back far enough). The 10 yard allowance is often
reduced for the smaller age groups and is left up to the discretion of the referee.
The simple difference between the two is this: On a direct kick you can score by
kicking the ball directly into the goal. On an indirect kick you cannot score. An
indirect kick must be touched by another player before it can go into the goal –
that is the kicker and a second person.
There are many soccer rules around what causes a direct or indirect kick.
In general, a direct kick comes from a contact foul or hand ball. Everything else is
indirect.
For indirect free kicks awarded to attackers inside the defender’s goal area, special alterations are defined for
specifying where the kick is to be taken from. The proper spot for the kick is the point on the goal area line (ie. 6 yards
out and parallel to the goal line), closest to the spot where the infraction occurred within the goal area. Defenders are
allowed to stand on the goal line, even though this is less than 10 yards away
Direct free kick is awarded to the non-offending team for the commission of the following four offenses:
1. holding an opponent
2. spitting at an opponent
3. handling the ball deliberately (other than by goalkeepers in their own penalty area)
4. tackling an opponent to gain possession of the ball, but making physical contact with the opponent before
contact with the ball.
Probably the most important thing to know when there is a free kick is if the ball can be kicked directly –i.e., without
being touched by another player-into the defending goal. If it can’t, this is called an indirect free kick (IFK) and the
referee is required to put one arm straight up in the air and hold it there until the ball touches a player other than the
kicker or goes out of play.. The ball must be played from the point where the infringement occurred,
Interestingly, there are no goals awarded if a free kick of either type is kicked directly into the kicking team’s own goal. If
this happens, it would be treated just as if the ball was kicked over the goal line giving the defending team a corner kick.
Here again, if the ball is being played from within the attacking team’s penalty area, the ball is not in play until it wholly
crosses the boundary line.
On an IFK, the kicker strikes the ball on goal and the goalkeeper reaches up and tries to catch the ball but doesn’t
touch it before it goes in the goal, this isn’t a goal.
The referee called for an IFK inside the defending team’s penalty area. The defending team lined up on the goal line.
An attacker kicked the ball into the line of defenders. The ball deflected off a player and into the goal. Because it did
touch a second attacker, this is a goal.
The referee calls for an IFK near the defender’s goal. The attacker takes a quick kick that deflects off the referee as he
is trying to move out of the way. The ball goes directly into the goal. Because it touched the referee, does this goal
count??? No. On an IFK the ball must touch a second player. The referee is not a player.
RULE 7 - Penalty Kick
A penalty kick results from a contact foul or hand ball by the defending team within the penalty area – the large box on
either end of the field. So it’s a type of direct kick also.
The ball is placed on the penalty spot or mark, 12 yards in front of the center of
the goal (this is adjusted based on the size of our fields).
All players must remain outside the penalty area and the penalty arc until the ball
is kicked. The goalkeeper must have both feet on the goal line until the ball is
kicked.
If after the ball is kicked, it rebounds off of the keeper and stays on the field, the
ball is “live” and anyone can play it.
If after the ball is kicked, it rebounds off of the goal and stays on the field, the ball
is “live” and anyone can play it with the exception of the person who just
kicked the ball. If the ball rebounds off of the goal and back into play, the person
who kicked the ball cannot play it until the ball is touched by another player –
otherwise he/she will be called for two touches.
Penalty kicks are one of the most dramatic events in soccer. They are also one of the most nerve-wracking. Important
considerations include the following differences between a PK and a normal direct free kick:
1. the defending players are not allowed to form a wall
2. all players except the penalty taker (and the defending goalkeeper) must be outside the penalty area and behind
the ball, and must remain there until the ball is kicked
3. the ball must be kicked forward
4. the defending keeper must remain on his goal line until the ball is kicked
Any player whose feet leave the ground and who does not jump straight up may be called for “jumping at” if he or she
makes contact with an opponent.. You should be careful not to confuse “jumping at” with a fair (shoulder) charge, in
which a player may legitimately use his or her shoulder to push an opponent of the ball, as long as contact is made with
the opponent’s shoulder. But if a player jumps at an opponent, the offence will be called no matter what parts of the
body actually make contact – “jumping at” can also involve the cleats.
RULE 8 – Fouls and Punishment
The common rule of thumb on fouls is “If it looks like a foul, it probably is.”
A player cannot kick, trip, jump at, charge, strike, push, hold, or spit at an opponent.
So what’s the problem?
Soccer can be a physical, contact sport when two opposing players both want the soccer ball and no parent or
grandparent likes it when little Susie loses the ball and ends up on the ground!
“Foul!” cries the parent. “Little Susie was pushed!”
What you need to know as a parent is that bumping or going shoulder-to-shoulder while competing for a ball is not a foul
until the hands or elbows come up. This is a bit of a judgment call and not all referees will call it the same way. Some
soccer rules are actually not black-and-white.
Remember though, the referee is ALWAYS right.
The normal consequence of a foul is a direct kick for the opposing team.
What exactly do the rules mean is illegal pushing, and what is not illegal? Specifically, they mean that if the pushing is
careless, reckless or done with excessive force in the opinion of the referee, the foul will be called. If a player pushes
another to the ground with two hands in the back, it’s clearly a foul. If a player pushes off another while both jumping for
a ball, its likely marginal depending on the force of the push. As mentioned earlier, the level of pushing allowed varies
greatly from game to game depending on the nationality of the teams involved, level of play, experience and mood of
the referee, the position of the moon, etc.
RULE 9 – Offside (both older age groups)
This is without a doubt the least understood rule by parents and coaches alike.
Check your local league soccer rules first. There’s a good chance that this rule
won’t be called for the 4-6 teams. You may be off the hook for now.
However, if you are a younger coach you still need to know this rule so you can begin teaching your players not to be
offside.
The first thing to know is that you cannot be offside on a corner kick, goal kick, or
throw-in. Don’t ask me why. Just accept it and go on. The explanation is too long. Also, it is not an offense for a player
to be in an offside position. The player must be involved in active play as determined by the referee to be called
offside.
As quoted from the FIFA soccer rules:
A player is in an offside position if: he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second last
opponent.
Clear yet? I didn’t think so. Try this. An offensive or attacking player can’t be ahead of the ball and involved in the play
unless there is a defender between him and the goalkeeper. Or, you can’t hang out at the other team’s goal waiting for
the ball.
A few other buts. You can’t be offside if you are standing on your half of the field. Also, the offside rule applies when
the ball is kicked, not when the player receives the ball. To accurately judge offside, one has to stay even with the
second-to-last defender and not watch the ball. Listen for the kick of the ball and judge at the time of the kick whether or
not the player was offside.
To be honest with you, this can be a hard rule to understand. Don’t get too hung
up on it. Trust the referees and be patient with them, they are also learning this rule.
Other common questions/rules:
• Can defense play on the offense side of the field? Yes. Every position can move to both sides of the field. Some
coaches prefer to have defense stay on their side of the field to help learn positioning, but there is no rule against
moving to the offense. Goalies may not use their hands once they leave their goal box.
• Can a goal be scored from the opening kick off? Yes.
• “Slide Tackling” or sliding on the ground to steal the ball from behind a player controlling the ball is a foul. This is
not allowed in the Bi-County Soccer league.
• If a player is kicking at the ball and trying to continue to play while on the ground it is a foul.
• Referee’s discretion is allowed on all calls. Some may not be called if the offense still has the advantage and the
foul is not considered flagrant.
• Substitutions: made only during stoppage in play and with permission of referee. On the 6-10 and 10-15 age
groups, you may only sub if you are in position or will be such as during a throw in. If the team in position of the ball
subs, then the other team can also. Please do not use subbing as a way to waste time, if the referee is concerned that
this may be occurring, he/she may refuse to allow the substitution.
Too many players on the field: first of all, you should realize that the player who is going to come off will be cautioned.
This may have some bearing on your choice of who should come off. Once you’ve made your decision, get the player’s
attention and have him come over and stand just inside the touch line (i.e. just on the playing surface) at the half-line.
This will make it clear to all concerned (including the other coach) that you were not attempting to gain an advantage by
having an extra player on the field. Get the assistant referee’s attention and explain the problem; it will be up to him or
her to notify the referee that your player is coming off, whereupon the referee that your player is coming off, whereupon
the referee will come over, find out what the problem is, and caution your player as required by this law.
Sudden Death
If the game ends in a tie, the teams must face off in “sudden death”. (During Tournament, there may be allowed a
period of extra time)
1. Each team picks five players to take a penalty kick and one player to be goalie. The goalie must stand on the
goal line until the ball is kicked.
2. Each kicker is allowed to take five steps back from the penalty mark and one step off to the side. The referee will
check to be sure that the goalie is ready and will blow the whistle after which time the kicker may kick the ball in attempt
to score. For example, team A has five players and team B has 5 players and they alternate turns trying to score. For
example, Team A first kicker kicks against Team B’s goalie then Team B’s first kicker kicks against Team A’s goalie.
Each team gets 5 attempts to score. If the kicker kicks before the whistle is blown, it does not count and there are no
“do overs”.
3. If the score after the first round of sudden death is still tied, each team then picks five more players to kick. The
same 5 players cannot kick again until there are no players left that have not participated. The goalie can be the goalie
for every round but cannot kick in the round she/he is goalie. If a coach wishes to replace the goalie with someone else
for round 2, then the goalie can then kick in that round. Example, if team A has 4 players that haven’t kicked, those 4
players must participate as a goalie or kicker and one of the previous kickers/goalie must be pulled back in so that there
are 5 kickers. If team B has only 2 players that have not participated, those two must kick and 3 that have participated
previously will be pulled back in.