Law 12 - Indirect Free Kicks

An indirect free kick can be awarded...................

A free kick (direct or indirect) awarded to the defending team inside its own goal area, may be taken from any point within the goal area.

The Referee should signal an indirect free kick by firstly blowing his whistle to stop play, and then pointing an outstretched arm upwards about 45 degrees from the horizontal, and in the direction that the indirect free kick is to be taken. Whilst the indirect free kick is taking place, the Referee should raise an arm straight up in the air and keep it their until the ball either goes directly out of play, or touches another player. It can also help if you can, to shout "Indirect Keeper" towards the goalkeeper as a matter of courtesy. Players normally do not have a clue if a free kick should be Direct or Indirect, and as part of man-management, it is recommended that you tell them when you can.	Direct Free Kick	Indirect Free Kick
To indicate a free kick, the Assistant Referee will raise and wave his flag backwards and forwards, then point his flag in the direction that the free kick should be taken (as shown in the 2 images to the right). There is no need to make a big show of waving the flag for too long. If the Referee has not seen the offence, it can also sometimes help, if the Assistant Referee indicates why he signalled for an indirect free kick by raising his (free flag) hand in the air to indicate an indirect free kick. This is all part of the communication between the Referee and his Assistant Referees.	Indicate a free kick	Point in Direction

Where did the Referees' Indirect Free Kick signal originate from?      Go to top of this page

The Indirect Free Kick originated from the late Arthur Blythe, an ex-FIFA referee from London. In the 1950’s a new a new word came into the football vocabulary - "obstruction". Players with outstretched arms were preventing their opponents from playing the ball and allowing it to run out of play or to their goalkeeper. The FA in their wisdom said this had to stop and referees were instructed to award an indirect free kick for obstruction (the first time this term was used) anywhere on the pitch including the penalty-areas. Straight away, this caused problems for referees. Players began crowding around the referee with "Can we score from it?" especially when the offence occurred in the penalty-area.

Then one day, Portsmouth, who were one of the top teams in the country at that time, were playing Manchester City. The Chairman of Portsmouth, Vernon Stokes, who was then Chairman of the FA Disciplinary Committee, came to Arthur Blythe’s dressing room and made the suggestion that it might solve the problem if the referee would raise an arm to denote what offence had been committed and that no goal could be scored direct from the free-kick. Vernon's suggestion was met with apprehension and Arthur said he would like ten minutes to talk it over with his linesmen. The outcome was that Arthur decided to give it a trial, fully realising it could mean the end of his career as a referee, knowing that the FA were not in favour of their referees being demonstrative.

Both teams were informed via their managers and the general public were told over the public address system. Arthur recalls it went like a dream. Players accepted the decisions and there was no milling around officials asking questions. Following the match, Arthur decided he would carry out the same procedure at his following games and on his many trips abroad on international duty.

Eventually, the system was incorporated in the Laws of the Game, and was further extended in that referees the world over have to raise an arm not only for obstruction but for all the offences when an indirect free-kick has been awarded. Although this started out as an experiment it is now universal, and players and the general public are well aware of the award, sometimes with relief, when they see the referee's arm raised.

(by kind permission of Alan Robinson Chairman of The Instruction and Publications Sub-Committee UK Referees Society. March 2001 The Football Referee magazine).

Difference Between a Direct Free Kick, an Indirect Free Kick and a Dropped Ball:

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It can sometimes be difficult for new trainee Referees to differentiate between a ‘Direct Free Kick’, an ‘Indirect Free Kick’ or a 'Dropped Ball’ restart.

A Direct Free Kick, an Indirect Free Kick or a Dropped Ball can only be awarded if the Referee needs to stop play whilst the ball is in play, and on the field of play.

Direct Free Kick: There are ONLY 10 Direct Free kick offences. The ball must be on the field of play, and the offence must be committed whilst play is in progress. The offence must be committed against the opposing team. A Direct Free Kick cannot be awarded for offences committed between players of the same team, or for offences committed whilst the ball is NOT in play, or for offences committed off the field of play, or for offences committed against the Referee or team officials or spectators etc.

A Direct Free Kick restart cannot be awarded for offences committed whilst the ball is OUT of play.

Dropped Ball: A dropped ball is used to restart play, when the Referee under the following circumstances has stopped play:

• due to external interference (such as a dog entering the field of play)

• if a serious injury is suspected

• after a temporary stoppage that becomes necessary while the ball is in play - for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game (such as a player losing his shorts!!)

• for any other reason which is not covered by Direct and Indirect Free-kicks.

A dropped ball restart cannot be awarded for offences committed whilst the ball is OUT of play.

Indirect Free Kick: There are hundreds of reasons to restart play with an Indirect Free Kick. 

Basically, if the stoppage in play is for a foul or an offence that does not merit the award of a Direct Free-Kick, then an Indirect Free Kick is the usual restart. 

Please note, that on all the Direct Free Kick, Dropped Ball and Indirect Free Kick restarts, the ball must have been in play when the Referee stops play.

A Free Kick (Direct or Indirect) or a dropped ball restart cannot be awarded for offences committed whilst the ball is OUT of play. There are a few excerptions to this. For example, an indirect free kick is awarded:
When when a goal is not scored following encroachment by a team-mate (or if the kicker offends) before a penalty is taken. 
Just after half time starts, the Referee stops play when he notices that one team has 12 players.

In these exceptional cases, the offence occurs before the ball is in play.

If an offence occurs before the ball has come back into play during the taking of a goal kick or a throw–in, play is restarted with either the original goal kick or the original throw-in.

Indirect Free Kick against Goalkeeper  Inside his own Penalty Area:  Go to top of this page

(Law 12) An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:

• 1. goalkeeper takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession.

The goalkeeper is the only player who is allowed to handle the ball (but only in his own penalty area). Once he has gained possession of the ball with his hands, he is responsible for releasing the ball as soon as possible. The ball is deemed to be ‘not in possession' of the goalkeeper as soon as the goalkeeper has released the ball from his hands – it then becomes ‘fair game’ for anyone to challenge him for the ball. As soon as he releases the ball from his hands, the goalkeeper becomes another outfield player. The only difference being, that if he picks the ball up a second time, in his penalty area (before it has touched another player), an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, as opposed to a penalty kick. A goalkeeper is considered to be in POSSESSION when he stands up with the ball after a diving save, or stops his momentum after running to grab the ball. That is when Referees should start the six seconds countdown. A goalkeeper is considered to be in possession of the ball while bouncing it on the ground, or while throwing it up in the air. Possession is given up if, while throwing the ball in the air, it is allowed to strike the ground.

There have been several Law changes in the past, in an attempt to force the goalkeeper to release the ball much sooner to keep the game flowing. Time-wasting by the goalkeeper with the ball in his hands or arms is now measured in time rather than distance. The Law no longer limits the goalkeeper to taking four steps when he has control of the ball in his hands or arms. He is allowed to carry the ball for a maximum of six seconds but may take as many steps as he wishes within this period.

Use common sense when calculating exactly when the 6 second countdown should start. If the goalkeeper makes a save, wait until the goalkeeper is stable before you start counting. You do not have to actually count, experience will tell you when the goalkeeper has overstepped his mark. By all means count down the 6 seconds by mentally talking to yourself, but do not be too fussy - else you will spoil the game, and incur the wrath of the players. Do not look at your watch during countdown - else you will not be able to concentrate on the game action. If a goalkeeper is blatantly and deliberately wasting time, then you have no option but to award his opponents an indirect free kick - after you have Cautioned him of course !

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2. goalkeeper touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player.

If the goalkeeper touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and the ball has not been touched by another player, award an......................

• INDIRECT FREE KICK to opponents if he handles the ball inside penalty area.

• DIRECT FREE KICK if he handles the ball for a 2nd time outside of his penalty area.

EXAMPLE 1: - The goalkeeper throws the ball to a colleague who is outside of the penalty area, an attacker quickly moves to intercept the ball. The goalkeeper rushes out in an attempt to thwart the attacker, dives outside of his penalty area and fists the ball away from the attacker before any other player has touched the ball  =   DIRECT FREE KICK.

EXAMPLE 2: - The goalkeeper taking a free kick outside of his area, kicks it into his own area and picks the ball up before it has BEEN touched another player  =   INDIRECT FREE KICK.

  Possession starts from the moment the goalkeeper has control of the ball - possession includes controlling the ball with his hand or arm, or parrying the ball. Beware of the goalkeeper who purposefully parries the ball downwards instead of catching it. By parrying the ball, he has in effect gained possession of the ball and released the ball all in one motion. If he then decides to pick the ball up after he has parried it, then (within the letter of the Law) the Referee could award an indirect free kick against the goalkeeper for touching the ball a second time (before it has touched another player) after he has released it from his possession. But be very careful with this decision, you need to be very very certain that the goalkeeper had deliberately parried the ball, as opposed to the ball ricocheting off the goalkeeper's hands. My advice would be for Referees to only penalise the goalkeeper, if you are 100 % sure that he deliberately parried the ball to gain some sort of advantage, for example, to waste time at the end of a game.

A goalkeeper is considered to have possession of the ball if he has the ball trapped on the ground with as little much as one finger on the ball.

The 1991/1992 Law change stated :
"Decision regarding when the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball:
...will be considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with any part of his hands or arms. Possession of the ball would include the goalkeeper intentionally parrying the ball, but would not include the circumstances, where, in the opinion of the referee, the ball rebounds accidentally from the goalkeeper, for example after he has made a save. "

Law 12 Decision No. 2 states that:  "The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with any part of his hand or arms."

3. goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate. 

A deliberate pass is only an offence if the goalkeeper touches it with his hand. The goalkeeper does not have to pick the ball up to be penalised during a deliberate pass, he only needs to touch the ball with his hand.
For example: a defender deliberately passes the ball back to his goalkeeper, but hits the ball too hard, the ball is about cross the goal line between the goalposts, when the goalkeeper dives and fists the ball out for a corner kick. In this instance you should award an indirect free kick to the attacking side, because the goalkeeper TOUCHED the ball with his hand, that was deliberately passed back to him by a colleague.
The goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball if a colleague uses a thigh, head, chest, knee to pass the ball deliberately to the goalkeeper. It is only an offence if the foot is used.

What about the shin? Law 12 Decision No. 3 of the International FA Board states:

Subject to the terms of Law 12, a player may pass the ball to his own goalkeeper using his head or chest or knee, etc.

This clearly prohibits the use of the other parts of the body, i.e. the arms, and anything below the knee. This is not a new idea, but has been accepted (by players and referees) ever since the ruling was brought in for season 1992/1993.

There are always those few who look to invent interpretations that are outside of the 'Spirit of the Laws', and to make a referee's life even more difficult. Those few who allow the shin to be used legally in the so-called 'back pass' rule are certainly in the minority. If this way of thinking is allowed to creep into the game, there will be no end of problems. 

Therefore, use of the shin breaches the spirit of the wording. A line must be drawn somewhere to define what is allowed and what is not, and the line in this case is the knee. Had the Laws intended for the shin to be allowed, it would have specifically been mentioned. 

There was never any official advice that was issued to my knowledge, which stated that only passes with the foot could be penalised during a so-called deliberate "back-pass" to the goalkeeper. Such advice was certainly not in any of the minutes of the IFAB who sanction new changes.

In general, I believe that for the purposes of the so called "pass back" rule, a kick is a pass or play on the ball with the foot, which is considered to be the area below the knee. Knees, thighs, chests, heads, backsides etc., are all non-kicks.

If a player goes to deliberaklty kick the ball to his goalkeeper, but the ball subsequently deflects from the player's shin instead of his foot, this would not negate the spirit of the so called 'back-pass' ruling. It would have still been a deliberate pass. The fact that a bobble of mud or the lack of skill in the player means that the ball comes off the shin - is neither here nor there! Otherwise if this argument were taken to the extreme, it would lead to those of a mischievous nature, promoting that a ball that deflecting from a player's ankle, is a legal pass as well!

Hence, this is why I strongly believe that the knee level cut off point is a sensible option, considering the nature of the game. 

A goalkeeper is allowed to handle a ball in his own penalty area, if the last player to touch the ball was an opponent (this includes when the ball is deliberately passed by a team-mate to his goalkeeper, but the ball deflects of an opponent before it is finally handled by the goalkeeper).

When a team-mate deliberately passes the ball to his goalkeeper, the goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball with the rest of his body. It is only an offence, if the goalkeeper subsequently touches the ball with his hand, after it has been 'DELIBERATELY' passed to him by a team-mate. 

For example: a team-mate deliberately kicks the ball to his goalkeeper. The goalkeeper comes outside of his penalty area, traps the ball with his feet. He then dribbles the ball inside his penalty area and picks it up. This is still an offence. It does not matter how many times the goalkeeper touches the ball with his feet, it is still an indirect free kick offence if he handles the ball before it has been touched by another player.  It is only when the goalkeeper handles the ball that it becomes an offence.

Where the goalkeeper was originally standing, or what he does between the kick taking place and touching the ball with his hands in his own penalty area, is irrelevant. The offence is touching the ball with his hands. This offence cannot be negated by any action that the goalkeeper attempts. 

Further information can be found in the The FA booklet entitled, "Advice on the Application of the Laws of the Game", Law 12 chapter:

"There will, however, be occasions when a goalkeeper receives the ball at his feet from a pass or throw-in by a colleague and proceeds to dribble the ball into his own penalty area. If he then touches/handles the ball, he must be penalised by the award of an indirect free kick taken from where the offence occurred unless covered by the special circumstance listed in Law 8."

The 1992/1993 Law change stated:
"Back-pass ruling: Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
On any occasion when a player deliberately kicks the ball to his own goalkeeper, the goalkeeper is not permitted to touch it with his hands. If, however, the goalkeeper does touch the ball with his hands, he shall be penalised by the award of an indirect free-kick to be taken by the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred,... "   (The infringement occurs where the goalkeeper handles the ball and not on the position that the player was standing when he passed to ball to the goalkeeper. The indirect free kick therefore takes place inside the penalty area where the goalkeeper handled the ball.)

1993/1994 also stated:
"Decision 18: Subject to the terms of Law XII, a player may pass the ball to his own goalkeeper using his head or chest or knee, etc. If, however, in the opinion of the referee, a player uses a deliberate trick to circumvent article 5 (c) of Law XII, the player will be guilty of ungentlemanly conduct ... "

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4. goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate.                 Go to top of this page

The goalkeeper is allowed to touch and play the ball with his feet (or with his head or chest etc.), having  received it directly from a throw-in by a colleague. It is only when the goalkeeper handles the ball that it becomes an offence.

1997/1998 Law change stated:
"Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct: An indirect free-kick will be awarded if the goalkeeper handles the ball after receiving it from a throw-in from his own team."

Further Four Indirect Free Kick Offences:     Go to top of this page

Law 12: An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the Referee commits the following four offences :

• 1. plays in a dangerous manner                

Deciding if an illegal manoeuvre is 'playing in a dangerous manner' (indirect free kick) or 'dangerous play' (direct free kick), does not rely solely on whether contact is made by the perpetrator on his adversary.
The Referee will need to decide whether the perpetrator knew where his opponent was positioned before the manure commenced.

If the Referee believes that the perpetrator knew of the close proximity of his opponent, yet still made a potentially 'dangerous play' move to gain possession of the ball, then the offence must be punished with a direct free kick (the same as it would be in other situations where challenges between opponents are knowingly made).

If the Referee believes that the perpetrator was unaware of the close proximity of his opponent, when making a play for the ball, then the offence is 'playing in a dangerous manner', and therefore punished with an indirect free kick in accordance with Law 12.

The decision is the Referee's alone to make; and relies on his good judgement of the information available to him at the time.

Dangerous play normally refers to those incidents that occur accidentally, where players challenging for the ball put their feet up high in the air, or attempt an overhead kick when unknown opponents are in close proximity. These actions are not really fouls as such, they are very often done because the offender does not know that an opponent is nearby.

‘Playing dangerously’ is another thing altogether.

Because the word ‘dangerous’ is used in both descriptions, it can be difficult to explain the distinction between ‘plays in a dangerous manner’ (an indirect free kick restart), and playing dangerously (a direct free kick restart offence).

A player going in with his studs showing and missing both player & ball is a reckless challenge, and as such, can be penalised with a direct free kick. It makes no difference if contact is made with the opponent or not. It is the act itself that is reckless. The perpetrator should not be penalised in a lesser way if an opponent is dextrous enough to jump over the tackle. If the Referee stops play, then the restart is still a direct free kick (and not the lesser punishment of an indirect free kick). In most minor cases, if an opponent manages to evade such a tackle, the Referee will normally play any advantage and have a word with the perpetrator of the tackle when play next stops.

Let us not forget that football is a sport that relies on the deftness of both sets of players, and it would not be beneficial to continually have to stop play because an opponent is skilful enough to counter a challenge made on him. The Referee will need to judge whether or not the challenge effected (or could have effected) the safety of the player being challenged.

Playing in a dangerous manner (the indirect free kick restart offence), refers to normal play actions that happen accidentally and/or in the close proximity of an unseen opponent. Playing dangerously (a direct free kick restart offence), is when a player knows exactly where his opponent is, and makes a purposeful challenge that is careless, reckless, of using excessive force.

Dangerous play refers to acts committed against an opponent.   Dangerous play does not refer to acts involving colleagues. For example, if a player commits an overhead scissors kick and his feet come very close to a nearby colleague's face, this is not an act that the Referee can penalise. In other words, the Referee cannot award an indirect free kick to the opposing team just because a player made a dangerous manoeuvre whilst a colleague was nearby. Dangerous play is defined as play which, while in itself is not against the spirit of the game, is nevertheless, dangerous to an 'opponent'.  Where two colleagues are involved in dangerous play, the Referee cannot award an indirect free kick to the non-offending team, because   - the 'so called' offending player and the non-offending player are both in the same team!

The offence is plays in a dangerous manner, and an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
In a game of football, you play against the opposing team, you do not play against your own players; hence the plays in a dangerous manner, offence only applies to acts committed against the opposition, and not your own players (or a player by himself) - as this would have no effect upon the opponents. This is how this ruling has been for a hundred years. The law is to punish unfair play against opponents.

As a guideline, any dangerous move which makes you (the Referee) wince, should be penalised as dangerous play. It is irrelevant whether or not the incident arises by: (a) chance; (b) unfortunate circumstances; (c) on purpose; or (d) inadvertently created by movement of an opponent over which the offender has no control.

Note: If the challenge is considered by the Referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force, and whilst the ball is still in play - then this is not deemed to be an indirect free kick dangerous play offence, but a more serious direct free kick offence .

See Question 18 and 19 below for more detail about 'dangerous play'.

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Dangerous play normally excludes when the goalkeeper dives down towards the legs on an incoming opponent. This is accepted as a normal part of the game. Goalkeepers are usually 'bonkers', and seem to have a complete lack of regard about their safety.

The following are some examples of dangerous play which must be penalised by the award of an indirect free kick to the opposing team: (a) raising of the foot too high; (b) proximity of foot when an opponent lowers his head to a kickable ball; (c) overhead kick in dangerous proximity of other players.

Another instance of dangerous play which always goes unpunished, is when the goalkeeper jumps up in his penalty area to catch a high ball, but puts his foot or knee out towards an oncoming opponent. This is done with the sole aim of frightening off the opponent, and preventing the opponent from making a possible fair challenge for the ball, and to give a warning to the opposing team that he (the goalkeeper) will do the same dangerous action throughout the game - so look out !. This example really should be punished - but for some strange reason, I have yet to see a Referee penalise a goalkeeper for this type of dangerous play. A Referee is well within his rights to penalise such dangerous action by goalkeepers - and should do so by the award of an indirect free kick against the goalkeeper in the goalkeeper's penalty area.

It is recommended that you (the Referee) should have a quiet word (or a strong word if merited) to players guilty of dangerous play. Ask them to be careful in the future. Players are normally receptive and responsive to this type of approach from a Referee.

Referees must take into account the weather elements - ground conditions may turn a fair challenge for the ball, inadvertently into a challenge which is now dangerous because of the ground condition.

When awarding an indirect free kick for a dangerous offence, the Referee should blow his whistle to stop play, and then point an outstretched arm straight upwards, and use his other arm to indicate the direction that he kick should be taken. The outstretched upward arm should be held vertical until the ball touches another player or goes out of play after the indirect free kick has been taken. The Referee's outstretched upward arm demonstrates that the free kick is indirect. The indirect free kick should be taken from where the offence occurred.

Recognising playing situations that are dangerous.

References: LOAF. Law 12 FAA: Law 12 (9)

Definition and Factors:

(a). Note: Dangerous play is "In the opinion of the referee"

(b). "Dangerous" infer players in a 'closing' situation or where opponent might be expected to 'close' with offender.

(c). Player's Intention (to injure, inhibit, put off) NOT a factor.

Principle:

(d). Any playing situation which makes referee wince!

• arises by chance or "unfortunately"
• lack of concern for other players.
• danger created inadvertently by the movement of an opponent over which the "offender" has no control
• if reckless or careless, it amounts to a penal offence.
• excludes practices accepted as normal part of the game (e.g. goalkeeper diving).

Examples:

(e). Raising foot/feet too high.

(f). Lowering head to a kickable ball.

(g). "Overhead" kick in proximity of other player(s) which puts him/her (them) at risk.

(h). Goalkeeper jumping for ball, knees or feet up toward oncoming attacker.

(i). Weather, elements, ground conditions may turn a fair challenge inadvertently into one that is dangerous to an opponent.

Action by referee:

(j). Demonstrate signals - quiet word or stronger reaction as appropriate.

Punishment:

(k) . Indirect free kick to opposing team

• where offence occurred
• remember the Special Circumstances which apply to the position of free kicks within the player's own goal area.

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• 2. impedes the progress of an opponent

Impedance (Obstruction).

Law 12 states that an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the Referee, "impedes the progress of an opponent" - in other words, running between an opponent and the ball, or interspersing the body so as to form an obstacle to an opponent. Nevertheless, so long as the ball remains within playing distance, it is perfectly reasonable for a player to use his body as a screen to prevent an opponent from gaining possession of the ball.

The legal name in footballing terms for obstruction is "Impeding". Referees must recognise that impeding involves no initial contact between opponents, and is penalised by the award of an indirect free kick to the team whose player was impeded.

If a player uses physical contact to block an opponent - this is a direct free kick (or penalty kick) offence and not an impeding indirect free kick offence.

If a player impedes (obstructs) an opponent, the Referee should stop play, and award an indirect free kick to the opponent's team, to be taken at the place where the impeding offence occurred.

See my Impeding page for a full description

• 3. prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands

 When a goalkeeper has the ball in his hands, the attacking players should not attempt to delay the release of the ball by purposefully running or standing in front of the goalkeeper. There have been several Law changes over the past few years in an attempt to force the goalkeeper to release the ball back into play as soon as possible. If an attacking player attempts to prevent a quick release of the ball by the goalkeeper, the Referee should stop play, and award an indirect free kick to the goalkeeper's team to be taken at the place where the offence occurred.

Attacking players have become very adept at delaying the release of the ball held by a goalkeeper. Attackers have learnt to weave about in front of a goalkeeper in such a subtle way as to confuse the Referee into thinking "is it an offence or not". IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!! and Referees are advised to take firm action to 'stamp out' this unsporting behaviour. On the first attempt of a player to prevent a goalkeeper from releasing the ball, the Referee should publicly warn the perpetrator about his conduct. This usually does the trick and prevents further occurrences of this nature. The Referee can consider cautioning the offender, but this only normally happens if it is the offender's second attempt in the game at delaying the goalkeeper from releasing the ball.

If a goalkeeper who is being impeded by an attacking player manages to release the ball to the advantage of his team, the Referee should allow play to continue. When play next stops, the Referee should warn the attacking player and ask him to behave himself. A 'public warning' of this nature also ensures that the message gets over to the rest of the players.

• 4. commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player.

There are hundreds of reasons when a Referee can restart the game with an indirect free kick. The easiest way to know when to award an indirect free kick, is to consider the following:

Question: Does the offence warrant a Direct Free Kick? (There are only 10 Direct Free Kick Offences).
Answer No.

Question: Does the offence warrant a 'Dropped Ball' restart? (For example, external interference, or serious injury).
Answer No.

Then it must be an INDIRECT FREE KICK!

The following are some (on the field of play) examples of when the Referee should restart the game with an Indirect Free Kick: An Indirect Free Kick can only be awarded for an offence committed on the field of play, and whilst the ball is in play.

• Touching the ball a second time after a restart, before it has touched another player.

• Striking the Referee. (For spitting and striking offences and their restarts-  see here.)

• Striking a colleague.

• Dissent.

• Swearing at a player, a colleague or a manger or anyone else.

• Leaving (or re-entering) the field of play without the Referee's permission.

• Dangerous play or impeding an opponent.

• Offside.

• Shouting "Leave it" when trying to deceive an opponent.

• Using a colleague's back to elevate yourself higher to head the ball.

• During a penalty kick, if a colleague of the kicker encroaches into the penalty area before the kick has taken place, and the ball rebounds off the crossbar and is touched by this player.

• Circumventing the Laws to gain possession of the ball. For example, during a throw-in, throwing the ball onto the back of a retreating opponent, and then gaining possession of the ball.

• Bending a crossbar down to stop the ball entering the goal.

• etc. etc.........................................

Questions:                 (see also the Law 12 Questions and Answers page for more questions.)

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Additional Questions and Answers provided by FIFA covering all of the Laws of the game, can be found on this web site here. The original FIFA Questions and Answers pdf file can be downloaded from the FIFA web site here.

Answer 1: In this instance, the goalkeeper has touched the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate. It does not matter whether the ball has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a colleague during a goal kick situation or in 'open play'. This is still an infringement of Law 12. The correct restart is an indirect free kick to the attacking team - to be taken at the spot where the goalkeeper touched the ball with his hands inside his penalty area. This is an attempt by the players to circumvent the Law 12 stipulation......." to penalise if a (goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate)".

A direct free kick should be awarded if the goalkeeper picks the ball up outside of his penalty area.

Question 2: A goalkeeper takes a goal kick. He purposefully 'chips' the ball up into he air onto the head of a colleague standing just outside of the penalty area. The colleague deliberately heads the ball back to the goalkeeper inside the penalty area. The goalkeeper catches the ball and quickly kicks it upfield. What should the Referee do - if anything ?

Answer 2: Award an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the place where the goalkeeper caught the ball. Why you may think ??. Both the goalkeeper and his colleague are guilty of circumventing the spirit of the so called  'back-pass rule' - and should be penalised. This is another attempt by the players to circumvent the Law 12 stipulation......." to penalise if a (goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate)".

Question 3: A defending player standing just outside of his penalty area purposefully lifts the ball up into the air and heads it directly back to his goalkeeper who catches the ball inside his penalty area. What should the Referee do - if anything ?

Answer 3: Again - award an indirect free kick to the opposition at the place where the goalkeeper caught the ball. Why you may think again ??. Both the defender and goalkeeper are again guilty of circumventing the spirit of the back-pass rule - and should be penalised.

Question 4: A defender intentionally passes the ball back to his goalkeeper. The goalkeeper controls the ball with his feet and THEN picks it up. Is this a so called 'back-pass 'foul?"

Answer 4: Yes. The goalkeeper is not allowed to touch the ball with his hands if it has been deliberately kicked to him by one of his team-mates. And neither can he dribble the ball outside of his penalty area, dribble it back in again, and then pick the ball up. No time limit applies to these infractions, and the punishment is to award an indirect free kick to the attacking team at the place where the goalkeeper picked up (or handled the ball). There is nothing the a goalkeeper can do to void or reset a deliberate 'back-pass' situation.

If a goalkeeper handles or picks up a ball last touched by an attacking opponent, then it is not an infringement. But if the goalkeeper picks the ball up, and then puts the ball back on the ground and picks it up again - this is touching the ball a second time. The punishment for touching the ball a second time before it has been touched by another player, is to award an indirect free kick to the attacking team at the place where the goalkeeper picked up (or handled the ball) a second time. Once the goalkeeper has controlled the ball and released it, he is not allowed to touch the ball again with his hands until it has been touched by another player.

This stipulation in the Laws is to prevent time-wasting by goalkeepers and to make the game faster.

Question 5: If a goalkeeper picks the ball up from a deliberate 'back pass' by a team-mate, which may have led to a goal scoring opportunity   - what would be the correct course of action from the Referee ?.

Answer 5. The Law 12 Sending Off offence states that it is only a sending off offence if player:

"denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area.)"

Denying a goal by deliberate handling refers to situations where the ball would enter the goal but is stopped from doing so by a defender (other than the goalkeeper). There is nothing in the Laws to specifically state that the goalkeeper must be sent off for handling the ball from a 'back pass' (even if it prevented a goal scoring opportunity). As the ball was clearly in control of the goalkeeper and not the oncoming player, this is not an offence committed against that opponent which denies that opponent an obvious goal scoring opportunity – the offence is committed by the goalkeeper on himself!. The restart is an indirect free kick to the attacking team at the place where the goalkeeper touched the ball with his hands. Goal scoring opportunities refer to fouls made on attacking players, and when a defending player (not the goalkeeper) handles a goal bound shot. It does not cover those instances when a player commits an infringement by himself, such as touching the ball a second time, or when the goalkeeper handles a ball received directly from a team-mate taking a throw-in (or from a deliberate 'back-pass'). An indirect free kick is awarded in all instances. These incidents are not deemed by Law to be preventing an opponent from scoring an obvious goal. (Even though they might be!)

Question 6: What should the Referee do, if an attacking player heads the ball from a goalkeeper who is only holding the ball with one hand? Is a goalkeeper who is holding the ball with only one hand, deemed to have the ball in his possession or not?

Answer 6. Let’s look at it from another angle. Supposing the goalkeeper only had one arm (and this is not unknown) what would you give then? Of course the goalkeeper still has possession when he is holding the ball with one hand. Possession does not rely on the number of hands a goalkeeper has on the ball, it is just plain possession! The Referee should stop the game and restart with an indirect free kick to the goalkeeper's team.

Question 7: During an indirect free kick, the goalkeeper finger-tips the ball into the net.
Is the Goal allowed?

Answer 7: Of course it is a goal.
Law 13 covering Indirect Free Kicks clearly states:"
"A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal. "
A touch includes "keeper finger tips the ball into the net".

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Question 8: During a supposed deliberate 'back-pass', is the Referee obliged to answer the goalkeeper's question "Can I pick the ball up Ref.?"

Answer 8: The Referee is not there to answer Law questions on the legality of certain moves during a game. These situations very often occur when the ball is on its way back to a goalkeeper, and the goalkeeper openly asks the Referee whether he can pick the ball up or not (i.e. to avoid confusion over whether the pass was a deliberate ‘back-pass’ or not). In such cases, the Referee should not offer advice or a running commentary on how the game should be played – doing so, gives the defending team an unfair advantage over the attacking team.

Tip: If a pass is going towards the goalkeeper and the Referee has decided that it is a deliberate 'back-pass' by a team-mate, then the Referee should run towards the goalkeeper - so that if the goalkeeper picks the ball up, the Referee will be near to the incident if he needs to stop play.  Conversely, if the Referee decides that the ball is not a deliberate 'back-pass,' the Referee should move away from the goalkeeper (so long as there is not any anticipated trouble). These two moves in themselves, should help players understand what the Referee may give, without the Referee having to speak. It also allows the Referee to get closer, when anticipating a possible infringement by the goalkeeper.

Question 9: If the ball is kicked into the goal (on a indirect or direct free kick) by the attacking team and it did touch another player, but never left the penalty box, would that be considered a goal? 

Answer 9: If an attacking team take an indirect free kick inside the defenders' penalty area, a goal is awarded if the ball enters the goal after it deflects, or is touched in by another player. The ball does not have to leave the penalty area in this instance before a goal can be scored. A goal cannot be scored direct from an indirect free kick (the ball has to touch another player).

It is impossible for an attacking team to be awarded a direct free kick inside the defending team's penalty area - this would be a penalty kick.

Question 10: Does the ball have to leave the penalty area, if a free kick is taken inside the penalty box, before it can be in play again and become a goal regardless of who actually kicks it in?

Answer 10: When an attacking team takes an indirect free kick inside its opponent's penalty area, the ball comes into play as soon as the ball is kicked and moves. Therefore, a goal can be scored without the ball having to first leave the penalty area. (Don't forget that a goal cannot be scored direct from an indirect free kick. In other words, the ball has to touch another player before it enters the goal).

When a defending team takes a free kick inside its own penalty area, no other player is allowed to touch the ball until it leaves the penalty area - the ball comes into play as soon as it leaves the penalty area (and not before.)

Question 11: The goalkeeper accidentally loses his boot, and it lands inside the goal area. An attacking player takes a shot, and the ball hits the displaced goalkeeper's boot and is deflected wide of the goal (the initial shot was goal-bound). What action should the Referee take?

Answer 11: As the misplaced boot was entirely an accident, the goalkeeper should not be penalised. Consider the situation where a goalkeeper (when moving across his goal line) unbeknowingly lifts a sod of turf out of the ground, that subsequently deflects the ball out for a goal kick. The restart in both situations should be a goal kick. A dropped ball restart could be considered – but as the boot (and the sod!) was not in reality an outside interference, the goal kick is correct restart. As the misplaced boot at that particular time, was not connected with the goalkeeper, a corner cannot be given. This is a case of Law 18 Common Sense coming into play. Any other decision, would not give the goalkeeper a leg to stand on!

Question 12: A goalkeeper in attempting to stop a deliberate 'back pass' from a colleague, 'fly-kicks' at the ball that is on its way into the goal. The goalkeeper's boot flies off his foot and deflects the ball wide of the goal. What action should the Referee take?

Answer 12: Same as the above question.

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Question 13: It was a very windy day. A defending player deliberately passes the ball to his goalkeeper. The goalkeeper does not pick the ball up with his hands, but kicks it upfield into the wind. The ball travels about 20 metres outside of the goalkeeper's penalty area, then a strong gust of wind blows the ball back into the penalty area towards the goal. It has not been touched by anybody else, and the goalkeeper picks the ball up again. Is this still deemed to be the offence of handling the ball from a deliberate back-pass?

Answer 13: Firstly, the the back pass was 'deliberate'. So the goalkeeper knows he cannot touch it with his hands until it has touched another player (no matter how many touches of the ball the goalkeeper has with his feet).

OK – so let’s say he traps the ball, kicks it a few paces in front of him, and then picks it up.

Law 12 states that an indirect free kick is awarded to the attacking team if the goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate. Straightforward – Indirect free kick.

Now, if the goalkeeper traps the ball and kicks it outside of his penalty area and then picks it up. Direct Free kick. So far so good!!!

Now…does it matter ‘in Law’ how far the ball goes, or whether the wind blows it back or not. NO. I don’t think so.

The fact is, is that the goalkeeper touched the ball with his hands after it was deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate.

Indirect Free Kick to the attacking team at the place where the goalkeeper touched the ball with his hands. This is no different to when a goalkeeper slices the ball after a pass-back and then picks it up. There is no distance stipulation that the ball has to be kicked in the Laws that negates having to award an indirect free kick.

It is also no different to a goalkeeper standing 1 metre inside his penalty area, receiving a back-pass, kicking it 1 yard(m) outside of his area, and then blown back in by the wind and he touches it with his hands. It is not the distance that counts but the Law.

Question 14: If a goalkeeper who has caught the ball by cradling it in his arms, accidentally drops the ball out of his arms and onto the floor, is the goalkeeper allowed to pick the ball up again without being penalised?

Answer 14: A goalkeeper cannot be said to have gained possession of the ball, if during the continuous momentum of attempting to catch the ball, the ball drops to the ground.

Law 12 states that the goalkeeper is not allowed to touch the ball again with his hands after if has been released from his possession. In this case, the Referee must decide whether the ball was accidentally dropped when it was INITIALLY caught, or deliberately released by the goalkeeper after being held. If the Referee believes that possession of the ball was lost because the goalkeeper had mishandled the incoming shot, then the Referee should allow the goalkeeper to pick the ball up without punishment. If the Referee is unsure whether the goalkeeper dropped the ball deliberately or dropped the ball intentionally, then the Referee should give the goalkeeper the 'benefit of the doubt', and allow play to continue without penalising the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper should only be penalised if the Referee thinks that the goalkeeper had initially gained possession of the ball but then purposefully released it, and then picked it up a second time before another player touched the ball.

If a goalkeeper gains possession of the ball (and holds it for a few seconds or so) and then subsequently accidentally drops it, then the goalkeeper should not be allowed to handle it a second time (just because the goalkeeper accidentally dropped the ball).

In most cases, a word of advice by the Referee to the goalkeeper will prevent a heap of trouble.

Question 15: If a goalkeeper controls the ball by balancing it on his head (using a gentle rolling action to keep it in place), is he deemed to have it under his possession, and is an opposing player allowed to challenge him?

Answer 15: This is a clever question that paradoxically has an simple answer.

The only thing that a goalkeeper can use in his penalty area, that other players can’t, are his hands. Apart from that, he is just the same as any other player.
So ask yourself this. If a player (not a goalkeeper) had the ball balancing on top of his head - is another player legally entitled to make a play for it (for example, by jumping up and heading it off)?
Of course he is.
And the same goes for a daft goalkeeper who balances the ball on his fizzog!.
As soon as the goalkeeper releases the ball from his hands, it becomes fair game for an attacking player to make a play for it. So if he decides to place it on the top of his head, it is very likely that it is not only the ball that will be knocked off his shoulders!

Question 16: In a recent U14 match, the goalkeeper made a dive for the ball that bounced off the side post. While on the ground, the keeper made an effort to scramble for the ball and reached out for it, maybe touching the side (not the top) of the ball with one hand. The attacker got to the ball at the same time and hit the ball into the net. What, in your opinion, is "control of the ball"? I am all for protecting the keeper from dangerous challenges, but the Referee explained to me that he has possession even if he has a pinkie finger or even an elbow contacting the ball. Please help me understand this?

Is an attacking player allowed to kick for the ball if the goalkeeper has attempted to dive on the ball, but is not yet in control of the ball?   Exactly when does a goalkeeper have possession of the ball?

Answer 16: Although goalkeepers must be especially protected by Referees, an attacking player is allowed to challenge for the ball and may attempt to play the ball as long as it is not in possession of the goalkeeper - providing that (in the opinion of the Referee) the challenge on the goalkeeper is not dangerous (reckless, careless or using excessive force).

A goalkeeper is considered to have possession of the ball if he has the ball trapped on the ground with as little much as one finger on the ball.

Law 12 Decision No. 2 states that:  "The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with any part of his hand or arms."

A goalkeeper has possession of the ball, and should not be challenged anytime that he has a part of his body (hand, fingertip, chest, nose, etc.) in contact with the ball (this does not include when the goalkeeper has the ball at his feet when he is considered ‘fair-game’ to a challenge by an attacking player).
Whether or not the goalkeeper has possession of the ball or not, any significant contact by an attacker on the goalkeeper may be deemed a foul. Any attempt by an attacker to kick the ball whilst it is in possession of the goalkeeper would be a foul. One of the Referee’s responsibilities is to keep the game safe and to especially protect the vulnerable goalkeepers.

However, if a goalkeeper is not actually touching the ball, then the ball becomes fair game for an attacking opponent, so long as the opponent is not guilty of dangerous play (For example, placing his leg and boot near the goalkeeper’s face).

Possession of the ball means having control of the ball. The Referee decides whether a goalkeeper has possession of the ball or not. The easiest way to define this, is to understand that possession is not determined by the amount of body mass that the goalkeeper has to use on the ball, in order for it to be in his possession. He can use one finger, two fingers, one hand, two hands or his whole body to gain possession of the ball.

The difficulty that the Referee has, is in deciding the exact moment when a diving goalkeeper actually has possession of the ball. This can be very difficult to define, when both an attacking player and the goalkeeper are stretching for the ball and make contact at virtually the same time. Considering the vulnerability of goalkeepers, Referees should err on the side of the goalkeeper when making these decisions.

When a goalkeeper makes a save with his hands (or finger), and he does not catch, or gain possession of the ball cleanly, he is not deemed to be in possession of the ball and an attacking player is entitled to make a play for the ball (so long as it is not done dangerously). The goalkeeper is also not in possession of the ball, when he fumbles the ball or drops the ball or has it knocked away by an attacking opponent before he has it properly under his control.

Possession of the ball by the goalkeeper includes, when he has it under control when bouncing it to the ground or when releasing the ball into play. So if whilst bouncing the ball to the ground an attacking player challenges the goalkeeper for the ball -  this is illegal because the ball is still deemed to be in the possession of the goalkeeper

There should be no ‘roughing-up’ of a goalkeeper once he gains possession of the ball.

The ultimate way of understanding if a goalkeeper can possess the ball by just using one finger, is to imagine the goalkeeper standing upright, with the ball at his feet, and one of his fingers pressing down on the top of the ball. This is possession, the same as if he was stretched out on the ground with one finger on the top of the ball.

Question 17: When an injury occurs, one of the teams will very often kick the ball out of play for a throw-in, to allow treatment to be quickly administered to the injured player. The team taking the throw-in usually gives the ball back to the team who 'sportingly' kicked it out. This is a form of sportsmanship that exists in the game. What can the Referee do, if instead of gently throwing the ball back to the opposing team, the team taking the throw-in, keep possession and go on to score a goal?

Answer 17: This actually happened during an Arsenal v Sheffield United quarterfinal match in the FA Cup (2000/2001) here in England. On receiving the ball from an opponent’s throw in, after the ball was deliberately kicked out to allow an injury to be treated, instead of the Arsenal player Kanu passing the ball back gently to the Sheffield United goalkeeper (as he sportingly should have done), he passed it into the Sheffield United penalty area to colleague Marc Overmars who promptly scored whilst the goalkeeper was out of position and awaiting the ball to be passed gently back to him. As you can imagine, 'all Hell let lose'. The Referee could do nothing about it, because no Law had been infringed. The game was completed with the final score being 2-1 to Arsenal.

In the post-match conference, the Arsenal manager Arsen Venga sportingly said "There is nothing for it but to replay the match."

The English FA said no, the result of the game should stand. Arsenal subsequently responded by stating that they would vacate the victory and withdraw from the FA Cup entirely – rather than be known as cheats. The FA relented, and allowed the match to be re-played. Arsenal won the re-play 2-0, and fair play was seen to be done.

Kanu, (a foreigner to England) who was making his debut, later said: "I was very sad about what happened against Sheffield United. I didn't know when I took the ball and played it for Marc Overmars to score that it should have been given to Sheffield instead. I wanted to explain that to people right away and thankfully we then had the chance to make up for it in a replay."

In situations like this, the Referee is not able to use the Laws to disallow the goal. The only loop-hole, is if the Referee actually hears a player actually telling the thrower, that he will kick the ball back to the opposing goalkeeper – and then subsequently cheats by either scoring a goal, or passing to a colleague. In this case, the Referee can stop play to administer a caution, and restart with an indirect free kick to the opposing team. (Law 12: An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the Referee commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player.)

Question 18: Just exactly what is dangerous play?

Answer 18: Committing dangerous play is not by itself an offence (for example completing a scissors kick when no other player is near). A dangerous act becomes dangerous when in the opinion of the Referee, the action (a) is dangerous to an opponent, (b) the action was committed with an opponent very close by, and (b) the dangerous nature of the action caused the opponent to falter in his play, and was thus unfairly disadvantaged.

Question: If physical contact is made in a dangerous play situation, does it become a penal foul?

Answer: Contact does not automatically make the 'play' more than a 'dangerous play'; and a typical example of this is when a player executes a genuine scissors kick manoeuvre when there are other players nearby. The execution of the scissors kick does not change from being a "dangerous play" situation into a "direct free kick offence", if accidental contact is subsequently made with an opponent. The execution of a scissors kick is (in nearly all cases) a genuine non-challenging attempt by a player to make contact with the ball. Conversely, it is also remotely possible for a player executing a (dangerous play) scissors kick manoeuvre, to suddenly recognise the nearby presence of an opponent, and change the direction and force of his manoeuvre to commit a penal offence (for example, deliberately kicking the face of an opponent). Changes in the shift of severity of a play action are usually easy enough to identify. Thankfully, the Laws are framed in such a way that it allows each incident to be judged by the Referee as it happens; and the question of 'danger' rests entirely on his opinion. Football (soccer) is a game where body contact frequently occurs; and the Laws are framed so that the players can play without danger to themselves, if their opponents respect both the letter and spirit of the Laws.

The key is that "dangerous" in Law, refers to the potential for danger. The Direct Free Kick fouls include actually delivering (or attempting to deliver) contact of some sort. Dangerous play recognises the potential danger to an opponent, and the award of an Indirect Free kick is a way of causing the opponent to modify his/her play to maintain safety.
(Thanks to Karl Arps for the above excellent paragraph description of dangerous play.)

Players would not normally be cautioned for dangerous play (unless the dangerous play is the culmination of a number of other persistent fouls committed by the same player). However, if a player continues to play in an uncontrolled and dangerous manner, the Referee may caution him for "unsporting behaviour".

The Referee should stop play when a dangerous act adversely effects the progress of an opponent who will normally cease challenging for the ball in order to avoid receiving an injury as a direct result of the other player's dangerous action. Because fouls (dangerous play) may only be committed only against opponents - playing in a manner considered to be dangerous when only a team-mate is nearby, is not actually a foul. Contact is not necessary for dangerous play to be penalised - on the contrary if contact does occur during a dangerous play situation, the Referee can penalise the more serious (Direct Free Kick) foul of kicking, studs-up, tripping, illegal charging etc.

An indirect free kick is awarded when a player, 'plays in a dangerous manner'. Dangerous play by defenders in their own penalty area against an opponent is penalised by an indirect free kick and not a penalty. The Referee is the sole judge as to exactly what constitutes dangerous play. Football is a contact sport, and the Laws allow players to compete without danger to themselves - so long as they respect the 'letter' and the 'spirit of the Laws'. The Referee judges the question of danger as it happens, and the question of danger rests entirely on his opinion.

Goalkeepers are very often exposed to dangerously challenges - Referees will normally attempt to provide the goalkeeper with special protection against such challenges and are more likely to penalise an attacker for dangerous play when a collision involves the goalkeeper. This is an accepted modern part of the game that has without doubt prevented many very serious injuries to goalkeepers.

The following are examples of what may constitute 'dangerous play:

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(a) Tackling with one foot lifted from the ground. This action is not always considered dangerous - players very often use the sole of their foot as an effective means of controlling a ball passed to them. If the Referee feels that a player has raised his foot, and this action endangers an opponent, then the Referee should stop play immediately and award an indirect free kick against that player. If a player contesting for the ball, purposefully goes over the top of the ball with his foot and makes contact with an opponent's leg - this is serious play (direct free kick) and not dangerous play (indirect free kick). European Referees are very particular about penalising players for tackling with one high foot. Referees in England are less particular, and will only penalise players if there is a definite danger to opponents. The most common instance when the Referee will penalise players for dangerous play, is when a player lifts his foot very high in the air in an attempt to kick the ball which is very near an opponent's face. Players are normally receptive to this type of protection from the Referee. Players kicking the ball with their foot going above their waist is not by itself dangerous. It is only dangerous if there is another player who almost gets kicked in the face (or body) when the ball is challenged for.

(b) Tackling by sliding. With the advent of the Law 12 change in season 1998/1999 where 'a tackle from behind which endangers the safety of an opponent must be sanctioned as serious foul play' (a Direct Free Kick offence) - the use of the slide tackle has lessened dramatically. A slide tackle carried out with one or both legs outstretched can be allowed - but is illegal if committed from behind.

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(c) The "Scissors" kick. The very best goals ever scored emanate from execution of this very difficult and exciting manoeuvre. Players attempting a 'scissors' kick can put an opponent's head at risk. The 'scissors' kick is normally done within the penalty area where there are likely to be other players in the near vicinity of the kicker. A 'scissors' kick entails the kicker lifting his feet very high in the air to project the ball backward from the direction he is facing. A 'scissors' kick is not an offence in itself - it is only dangerous when the kicker's feet come into close proximity with an opponent's face (or body) when the kick is being executed. The danger must be judged by the Referee according to the situation in which the 'scissors' kick is being performed. If there are no other players near, then the 'scissors' kicker should not be penalised - as no dangerous offence has been committed.

(d) Dangerous play against the goalkeeper. When a goalkeeper has gained possession of the ball in his hands, opponents should not attempt to challenge him, or block his momentum as he attempts to release the ball back into play. It can be most annoying when players try to block the goalkeepers path by moving to and fro in front of him, or by lifting a foot in front of the goalkeeper whilst he is attempting to punt the ball upfield. An indirect free kick should be awarded to the goalkeeper if an opponent infringes the goalkeeper in this manner. Law 12 states that an indirect free kick is to be awarded if an opponent prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands. Another form of dangerous play is when the ball is fired towards the goalkeeper, and an attacker dangerously challenges the goalkeeper (or attempts to reach for the ball with an outstretched foot) when the goalkeeper has dived along the floor and has gained possession of the ball with his hands - these incidents can be very dangerous for the goalkeeper.

(e) Dangerous play by the goalkeeper. Goalkeepers have a nasty habit when an attacker is approaching nearby, of purposefully raising one of their boots when coming out to catch a high ball. This is supposed to be a warning by the goalkeeper to the attacking player "not to come too near again when challenging for the ball". This is a dangerous act by the goalkeeper and should be punished by an indirect free kick to the attacking team. Nevertheless, this infringement is very rarely given against a goalkeeper. The Referee should at the very least have a strong word with the goalkeeper at the next suitable opportunity - to warn him about using such dangerous foot raising tactics when an opponent is close by. If the goalkeeper commits this act again (after being warned by the Referee) then the Referee has no option but to caution the goalkeeper for dangerous play and award an indirect free kick to the attacking team. If all Referees stamped down on such behaviour, then it would not happen - goalkeepers would soon get the message!

Question 19: Can ‘dangerous play’ be committed against a colleague?

Answer 19: If you take the words "dangerous play" in isolation, it does not matter whether it is a team-mate or an opponent who is placed in a dangerous position. If the dangerous play results in a serious injury, the Referee’s main responsibility is to stop play, and seek treatment as soon as possible (regardless of any specific Laws) if the health of a player is jeopardised...no matter who's in danger. This is even more important when youth players or very young players are concerned.

As far as Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct) is concerned, it is a ‘SPECIFIC’ indirect free kick offence if a player ‘plays in a dangerous manner’ against a member of the opposing team.

The words covering playing in a dangerous manner, appear in Law 12 under the sub-title of:

"An indirect free kick is also awarded to the OPPOSING TEAM if a player, in the opinion of the referee:"

"plays in a dangerous manner"

Therefore, the Law 12 offence (of ‘plays in a dangerous manner’) is specifically one that is committed against an opponent (OPPOSING TEAM !!! ) and not a colleague.  You cannot 'play' in a dangerous manner against a team-mate!

Albeit that it may be dangerous, it is NOT a specific Law 12 offence if a team-mate plays in a dangerous manner against a colleague. In this case, if the Referee needs to stop play for an injury, the restart is a dropped ball (Law 5 & 8) and not a Law 12 indirect free kick offence. If there is no injury (even though a colleague has played in dangerous manner towards a team-mate), then play should continue. There is no stipulation within the Laws to do otherwise.

In fact, by the same token, with reference to other offences listed under the same Law 12 sub-heading - an indirect free kick cannot be awarded to the opposing team if a player ‘impedes his own goalkeeper’, or ‘prevents his own goalkeeper from releasing the ball’. These acts are not free kick offences committed against an opponent. And once again, the Referee should allow play to continue.

The Laws presume that players will look after their own (and their own team-mates’) physical safety. It is very unusual for two players from the same team to play in a dangerous manner when challenging for the ball at the same time. Players do not want to injure themselves or their colleagues. There is no place in the Law 12 Free Kick offences to cover dangerous play committed between colleagues.

But "plays in a dangerous manner" outside of Law 12 should not be totally dismissed whenever players’ safety is concerned.

Question 20: I've encountered a number of situations when a player falls to the ground (no foul committed), and then attempts to play the ball whilst on the ground. 
Is this dangerous play, and should an Indirect Free Kick be awarded to the opposing team?

Answer 20: It is not the position of the players that decide whether a move is dangerous or not, it is the action itself. There is nothing wrong with a player attempting to play the ball whilst he is lying on the ground – as long as is not done in a dangerous way. "Dangerous" in Law, refers to the potential for danger. This is no different to when a player attempts an overhead ‘scissors kick’. The act in itself is not dangerous. It only becomes dangerous if there are other players nearby. The same philosophy can be applied to the original question – a prostrate player making a genuine attempt to reach the ball whilst he is lying on the ground, can make a legal stretch for the ball. Conversely, if this same player stretches his leg upwards towards an opponent’s face, in an attempt to kick the ball - then this would be deemed to be dangerous.

(Click here also for some good advice from the National Coaches Association of America).

Question 23: When a goalkeeper who has released the ball at his feet, purposefully picks it up again to prevent an oncoming nearby challenging attacker gaining possession and shooting towards goal. Should the Referee Send off the goalkeeper for denying a goal scoring opportunity and restart with an indirect free kick, or should the Referee just give the goalkeeper a caution and restart with an indirect free kick for touching the ball a second time after he has released it.

Answer 23: As the ball was clearly in control of the goalkeeper and not the oncoming player, it is not a clear goal scoring opportunity. An indirect free kick should be awarded. The additional punishment of a caution is not automatic. If the Referee considers that the goalkeeper has gained an unfair advantage over his opponent, he would judge this as unsporting behaviour and caution him.

When a goalkeeper handles the ball whilst in his own penalty area, in violation of the laws as in this question, the punishment is an indirect free kick and not a penalty kick.

Because a goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball in his own penalty area, he can not therefore be sent off for stopping an obvious goal scoring opportunity by illegal use of his hands in his own penalty area. (The goalkeeper can of course be sent off for stopping an obvious goal scoring opportunity by other fouls, or if he stops an obvious goal scoring opportunity by handling the ball outside of his penalty area).

Direct free kick offences are those offences where the challenge is considered by the Referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force, and whilst the ball is still in play. These are deemed to be more serious direct free kick offences. Dangerous play does not refer to tackles made carelessly, recklessly or using excessive force.

Question 25: With the ball inside the goal area (1 metre from the goal line) a defending player is deliberately pushed from behind by his goalkeeper. The defending player then falls over the ball, landing on all fours. The player did not attempt to immediately rise. I viewed the player to be firstly impeding the progress of an opponent, and secondly playing in a dangerous manner (other attacking players had begun to kick at the ball). I awarded an Indirect Free Kick to the attacking team on the goal area line parallel to the infraction point. How did I do?

Answer 25: In situations where the ball becomes trapped underneath a player, the Referee normally stops play immediately to prevent a dangerous occurrence taking place. In your situation, the goalkeeper and the defending player between them, connived to create a situation to prevent a goal being scored. This is clearly ‘unsporting behaviour’ and as such can be penalised with the award of an indirect free kick to be taken on the goal area line parallel to where the incident occurred in the goal area. One small point of Law – Law 12 states that an indirect free kick can be awarded for any offence not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player. So in terms of pure Law, you would have to caution either the goalkeeper or the defender (or both) , before you can award an indirect free kick. Notwithstanding this, the player covering the ball could be construed as impeding the opponent. So in either case, an indirect free kick is the correct restart. The incident cannot be construed as being dangerous play, because the act was done deliberately. Dangerous play normally refers to those incidents that occur accidentally – and this was certainly no accident!

Another factor to also consider - is that if this action prevented an obvious goal scoring opportunity, then  either the goalkeeper or the defender could be sent off.
(Thanks to Mickey for this interesting question.)

Question 26: A goalkeeper with the ball in his hands, attempts to punt the ball up-field. Just as the goalkeeper kicks the ball out of his hands, a colleague accidentally runs in front of him, and the ball ricochets off the back of the colleague and bounces back into the goalkeeper’s hands. Is this legal, or should an indirect free kick be awarded where the action occurred?

Answer 26: In real game situations, the Referee does not always have time to think out the intricacies of the Laws in these types of accidental situations. He would undoubtedly allow play to continue. The Laws are generally meant to govern acts that are against the spirit of the game. Accidental acts such as these are certainly not against the spirit – they are just ‘accidental’. As long as nobody is injured, play should be allowed to continue.

As far as the Law 12 is concerned, there are two factors to consider.

1. The ball bouncing off the back of a colleague and back into the goalkeeper’s hands cannot be construed to be a deliberate pass (back-pass) by the colleague to his goalkeeper, and hence cannot be penalised.

2. We know that a goalkeeper who releases the ball from his hands, is not allowed to touch it again until it has touched another player – and in this question, the ball had in fact touched another player.

So no infringement had occurred in either case.

If the Referee believes that this move was done to try and avoid the stipulations of Law 12, the Referee should stop play, caution the goalkeeper for unsporting behaviour, and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the goalkeeper handled the ball after it rebounded off his team-mate.

Question 27: A Goalkeeper throws the ball out to a defending colleague who is standing outside of his own penalty area. The defender makes a mess of controlling the ball, and it ricochets back inside the penalty area where the goalkeeper gathers it back into his hands. Does it make any difference whether the defending player is standing (a) inside of his own penalty area or (b) outside of his own penalty area? (c) And does the goalkeeper commit the offence of ‘touching the ball a second time’. (d) Or is it a ‘back-pass’?

Answer 27: Law 12 states that an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper (inside his own penalty area) touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player.

It is NOT the positioning of the Defenders (No. 1 or No. 2) that decide whether this is an offence or not. Because the ball had been touched by another player - no offence had been committed by the Goalkeeper in either examples (a) or (b) above.

There can be occasions when Goalkeepers ‘punt’ the ball from their hands, and the ball accidentally touches (or rebounds from) a team-mate, and is handled a second time by the Goalkeeper. In these cases, play must be allowed to continue if the Goalkeeper touches the ball a second time.

If the Referee believes a move of this nature was done ‘INTENTIONALLY’ to evade the stipulations of Law 12, the Referee should stop play. The Referee should caution the Goalkeeper for unsporting behaviour, and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the Goalkeeper handled the ball after it rebounded off his team-mate (irrespective of whether the team-mate was inside or outside of the penalty area). It is NOT the positioning of the Defender that decides whether this is an offence or not.

In situations like these, the Referee will also need to be aware of Goalkeepers and Defenders conniving to set-up a manoeuvre that is essentially a so-called ‘back-pass’, but disguised to look like they had no idea what they were doing. In other words, situations can occur when the Defender who receives the ball, intentionally controls the ball, knowing that his Goalkeeper will approach and regain possession of the ball in his hands. This is a tricky situation for the Referee to gauge in the ‘heat’ of a game. Any circumvention of the Laws is against the ‘spirit of the game’, and must be punished. But this is a tricky call to make, because Law 12 (covering the so-called ‘back-pass’) actually states that it is only an offence if the ball is deliberately KICKED towards the goalkeeper.

The ‘bottom line’ is to punish acts that are against the ‘spirit of the game’. But it is not always possible to justify such punishment by seeking definitive (black-and-white) guidance from the Laws.

As the great Ken Aston said. "Referees are not Law books on Legs".

The Laws are constructed in such a way as to provide a flexible framework that allows the individual Referee (and the players) to adjust their Law interpretation, to protect the way that this great game is expected to be played.

Question 28: After an attacking player had last touched the ball, the defending goalkeeper inside his own penalty area picks the ball up in his hands. The attacking player starts to make his way back towards the halfway line. The goalkeeper then drops the ball to the ground and begins to dribble it towards the edge of his penalty area. The goalkeeper makes a mess of dribbling the ball and decides to pick it up again inside his own penalty area. What action should the Referee take, if any?

Answer 28: The Referee should award an indirect free kick to be taken at the place where the goalkeeper touched the ball a second time in his penalty area, before the ball had touched another player. If the goalkeeper was inside his goal area when he handled the ball a second time, the indirect free kick is taken from the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the goalkeeper handled the ball.

Law 12 clearly states that when a goalkeeper is inside his own penalty area, an indirect free kick should be awarded if he touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and the ball has not touched any other player. In this question, the goalkeeper originally picked the ball up in his hands, then dropped it to the ground, and then picked it up a second time before the ball had touched another player. This is clearly the ‘indirect free kick offence’ as shown in Law 12.

Just one more thing to remember!

If the ball is 'blasted' at the goalkeeper, and he attempts to hold the ball with his hands but it accidentally drops to the floor - this is not seen as gaining proper possession of the ball, and he can therefore pick the ball without being penalised for handling it a second time.

If he gains ‘proper’ possession of the ball by holding it in his hands (as in the original question), and then he subsequently drops it, it does not matter whether it is dropped accidentally or on purpose, he should not handle the ball again until has touched another player. If he does, the goalkeeper should be penalised.

Question 29: An indirect free kick is awarded to the attacking team. The ball is placed in readiness for the indirect free kick to take place. One of the attacking players runs over the ball and touches it with his foot. The ball does not move forwards or backwards (it does wobble a little bit). Another attacking player, them runs up to the ball and kicks it directly into the goal without the ball touching another player. Does the kick by the second attacking player