Football free kick rules determine how play is restarted after certain offences committed by players, substitutes, substituted or sent-off players, or team officials. Free kicks are one of the most common methods of restarting play and can be taken from different areas of the pitch depending on where and how the offence occurred.
There are two types of free kicks in football: direct free kicks and indirect free kicks. The main difference is that a goal can be scored directly from a direct free kick, while an indirect free kick must touch another player before a goal can be awarded. The Laws of the Game also specify how the ball must be positioned, how far opponents must stand from it and what happens when players interfere with the restart.
This guide explains the key football free kick rules, including the difference between direct and indirect free kicks, the required distance, free kicks inside the penalty area, defensive walls and common offences.
What is a Free Kick in Football?
A free kick is a method of restarting play after an offence for which the Laws of the Game require a free kick. Depending on the nature of the offence, the referee awards either a direct or indirect free kick to the opposing team.
Free kicks can be taken from various positions on the field. In most cases, the kick is taken from the location where the offence occurred. However, the Laws of the Game include specific exceptions for offences committed inside the goal area or penalty area.
The ball must be stationary before the free kick is taken. Once the ball has been kicked and clearly moves, it is in play. The player taking the free kick cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched it.
Types of Free Kicks in Football
Football has two types of free kicks: direct free kicks and indirect free kicks. The type awarded depends mainly on the offence committed.
Direct Free Kick
A direct free kick allows the attacking team to score directly without another player touching the ball. If the ball is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal and all other requirements of the Laws are satisfied, the goal is awarded.
Direct free kicks are generally awarded for offences involving physical contact or certain handball offences. Examples include kicking, attempting to kick, tripping, attempting to trip, pushing, striking, attempting to strike, tackling or challenging an opponent in a careless, reckless or excessive manner.
A direct free kick can also be awarded when a player commits certain handball offences. The exact circumstances are covered under Law 12 of the Laws of the Game. If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the kicker’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Indirect Free Kick
An indirect free kick is different because a goal cannot be scored directly from the kick. The ball must touch another player before it enters the goal for a goal to be awarded.
The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising one arm above the head. The referee keeps the arm raised until another player touches the ball, the ball goes out of play or it becomes clear that a goal cannot be scored directly.
If an indirect free kick goes directly into the opponents’ goal without touching another player, the defending team is awarded a goal kick. If it goes directly into the kicker’s own goal, the opposing team receives a corner kick.
Read More: What Are Football Set Pieces?
Direct vs Indirect Free Kick
| Feature | Direct Free Kick | Indirect Free Kick |
| Goal can be scored directly | Yes | No |
| Another player must touch the ball | No | Yes, for a goal to count |
| Referee signal | No specific arm signal | One arm raised above the head |
| Directly into opponents’ goal | Goal | Goal kick |
| Directly into own goal | Corner kick | Corner kick |
Where is a Free Kick Taken?
Under the football free kick rules, the kick is normally taken from the location where the offence occurred. The ball must be stationary before the restart.
However, there are specific exceptions. For example, when the attacking team is awarded an indirect free kick inside the opponents’ goal area, the kick is taken from the nearest point on the goal-area line that runs parallel to the goal line.
When the defending team is awarded a free kick inside its own goal area, the kick can be taken from anywhere within that goal area. These exceptions prevent free kicks from being taken from positions that would create unusual or impractical situations close to the goal.
How Far Away Must Players Be From a Free Kick?
One of the most important free kick rules in football concerns the distance that opposing players must maintain. Opponents must generally remain at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball until it is in play. This gives the team taking the free kick enough space to restart play without immediate interference from an opponent.
There is an exception when an opponent is standing on their own goal line between the goalposts. In this situation, the normal 9.15-metre distance requirement does not apply in the same way.
If an opponent deliberately prevents a free kick from being taken quickly or fails to respect the required distance, the referee can take disciplinary action depending on the circumstances.
The 1-Metre Rule for Defensive Walls
When defending a free kick, players often form a wall to make it harder for the kicker to shoot towards goal. Football has a specific rule governing how close attacking players can stand to such a wall.
When three or more defending players form a wall, all attacking players must remain at least 1 metre (1 yard) away from the wall until the ball is in play.
This rule prevents attacking players from positioning themselves immediately alongside or inside the defensive wall. If an attacking player is less than 1 metre from the wall when the free kick is taken, the defending team is awarded an indirect free kick.
The rule applies specifically when the defensive wall consists of three or more players. It is intended to prevent players from interfering with the formation or movement of the defensive wall.
How is a Free Kick Taken?
The ball must be stationary when a free kick is taken. The player taking the kick can lift the ball with one foot or both feet simultaneously, provided the requirements for the restart are followed.
The player can also use a feint as part of the run-up or kicking action to deceive opponents. However, actions that constitute an offence or unfairly delay the restart can result in disciplinary action.
Once the ball is kicked and clearly moves, it is in play. The player who takes the free kick cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched it.
For example, if a player takes a free kick and then deliberately touches the ball again before another player has played it, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team.
Free Kicks Inside the Penalty Area
Free kicks taken inside the penalty area have additional requirements because of the proximity of the goal and the potential advantage for the attacking team.
When the defending team takes a free kick inside its own penalty area, opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play. The ball must be stationary, and opponents cannot interfere with the restart before they are permitted to challenge for the ball.
If an opponent is inside the penalty area when the free kick is taken because there was not enough time for them to leave, the referee may allow play to continue. However, if that opponent touches or challenges for the ball before it is in play, the free kick is retaken.
For an attacking-team indirect free kick inside the opponents’ goal area, the ball is placed on the nearest point of the goal-area line parallel to the goal line.
Can a Free Kick Be Taken Quickly?
Yes, a team can generally take a free kick quickly. A quick free kick can allow the attacking team to restart play before the defending team has time to organise its players.
However, the ball must still be stationary, and the requirements of the Laws of the Game must be followed. Opponents who are close to the ball are not always given an opportunity to move 9.15 metres away before a quick free kick is taken.
If an opponent who is close to the ball deliberately interferes with a quick free kick, the referee can stop play and take the appropriate disciplinary action.
What Happens If the Kicker Touches the Ball Twice?
The player taking a free kick cannot touch the ball a second time until another player has touched it.
For example, if a player kicks the ball, runs after it and deliberately touches it again before another player has played it, the opposing team receives an indirect free kick.
The situation can be different if the second touch involves a handball offence. In such cases, the referee applies the appropriate restart based on the location and nature of the offence. This rule ensures that the player taking the free kick cannot effectively take two consecutive touches and continue the play without another player becoming involved.
Can You Score Directly From a Free Kick?
Whether a goal can be scored directly depends on the type of free kick.
A goal can be scored directly from a direct free kick. The ball does not need to touch another player before entering the opponents’ goal.
A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick. The ball must touch another player before entering the goal. If it enters the opponents’ goal without touching another player, the restart is a goal kick.
This distinction is one of the most important things to understand when learning football free kick rules.
Free Kick vs Penalty Kick
A free kick and a penalty kick are different restarts, even though both can be awarded after an offence.
A penalty kick is awarded when a player commits a direct-free-kick offence inside their own penalty area, subject to the conditions specified in the Laws of the Game. A free kick, on the other hand, can be awarded for offences committed in different areas of the field.
The location of the offence therefore plays an important role in determining whether the restart is a free kick or a penalty kick.
Conclusion
Understanding football free kick rules is important for players, coaches and fans because free kicks can lead to attacking opportunities, tactical set pieces and direct shots at goal. The two main types are direct and indirect free kicks, with the key difference being whether a goal can be scored directly.
The basic procedure requires the ball to be stationary before the kick, while opponents generally need to stay 9.15 metres away. Additional rules apply when free kicks are taken inside the penalty area or when defenders form a wall. Knowing these rules helps players take free kicks correctly and avoid offences that can result in the restart being retaken or awarded to the opposition.
Download Playo on Android or iOS, or visit playo.co to start playing!
Frequently Asked Questions
The main difference is whether a goal can be scored directly. A direct free kick can result in a goal without another player touching the ball, while an indirect free kick requires the ball to touch another player before a goal can count.
Opponents generally have to remain at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball until the ball is in play. Specific exceptions apply in certain situations, including some positions on the goal line.
No. If an indirect free kick enters the opponents’ goal without touching another player, the goal does not count, and the defending team receives a goal kick.
Yes. A player can pass a free kick to a teammate rather than shooting at goal. The ball must be stationary before the kick, and the other requirements of the Laws of the Game must be followed.
When three or more defending players form a wall, attacking players must remain at least 1 metre away from the wall until the ball is in play.
If the kicker touches the ball a second time before another player has touched it, the opposing team is normally awarded an indirect free kick. The exact restart can differ if the second touch is a handball offence.
