Free kick (association football) explained

A free kick is a method of restarting play in association football. It is awarded after an infringement of the laws by the opposing team.

Direct and indirect free kicks

Free kicks may be either direct or indirect, distinguished as follows:

Procedure

Signal

The referee signals an indirect free kick by raising the arm vertically above the head; a direct free kick is signaled by extending the arm horizontally.[1] A popular method for identifying the different signals is that, for indirect free kicks, the referee holds his hand above his head, creating the letter "I", for an indirect free kick.[2]

Location

The free kick is taken from the place where the infringement occurred, with the following exceptions:

Kick

The ball must be stationary and on the ground. Opponents must be at least 9.150NaN0 from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on their own goal-line between the goal-posts. If the free kick is taken from within the kicking team's penalty area, opponents must be outside the penalty area.

If the defending team forms a "wall" of three or more players, all attacking players must be at least 10NaN0 from the wall until the ball is in play.

The ball becomes in play as soon as it is kicked and clearly moves.[3] The ball must be kicked (a goalkeeper may not pick up the ball). A free kick can be taken by lifting the ball with a foot or both feet simultaneously. It is legal to feint to take a free kick to confuse opponents. (This distinguishes the free kick from the penalty kick, where feinting is illegal once the run-up has been completed).[4]

A player may be penalised for an offside offence from a free-kick. This distinguishes the free-kick from most other methods of restarting the game, from which it is not possible for a player to commit an offside offence.

Scoring a goal directly from a free kick

Ball goes
directly into		Type of free kick
DirectIndirect
Opponents' goal
Own goalcolspan="2"

A goal may be scored directly from a direct free kick against the opposing side. A goal may not be scored directly from an indirect free kick, and an own goal may not be scored directly from any free kick. If the ball goes directly into the opposing team's goal from an indirect free kick, a goal kick is awarded to the opposing team. If the ball goes directly into the kicking team's own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.[5]

When an indirect free kick has been awarded, the referee must maintain the vertically raised arm until the kick has been taken and the ball touches another player, goes out of play, or it is clear that a goal cannot be scored directly. If the referee fails to signal that the free kick is indirect, and the ball goes directly into the opponents' goal, the kick must be retaken.

Infringements and sanctions

If the ball is moving, or in the wrong place, the kick is retaken. A player who takes a free kick from the wrong position in order to force a retake, or who excessively delays the restart of play, is cautioned.

If an opponent is less than 9.150NaN0 from the spot where the kick is taken, the kick is re-taken unless the kicking team chooses to take a "quick free kick" before opponents have been able to retreat the required distance. An opponent also may be cautioned (yellow card) for failing to retreat 9.150NaN0,[5] or for deliberately preventing a quick free kick from being taken.

If the kicker touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, unless this second touch is an illegal handball offence, in which case a direct free kick or penalty kick is awarded.

If an attacking player stands within 10NaN0 of a "wall" of 3 or more defending players, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.[3]

Quick free kick

A team may choose to take a "quick" free kick, that is, take the kick while opponents are within the 9.15m (30.02feet) minimum required distance. This is usually done for some tactical reason, such as surprising the defence or taking advantage of their poor positioning. The referee has full discretion on whether to allow a quick free kick, and all other rules on free kicks still apply. However, in taking a quick free kick the kicking team waives their entitlement to retake the kick if an opponent who was within 9.150NaN0 intercepts the ball.[5] Football governing bodies may provide further instruction to referees on administering quick free kicks; for example, the United States Soccer Federation advises that referees should not allow a quick free kick if a card is shown prior to the restart, if a trainer has to enter the field to attend to an injured player, if the kicking team requests enforcement of the 9.15m (30.02feet) rule, or if the referee needs to slow the pace of the match (e.g., to talk to a player).[6]

Scoring opportunities

Direct free kicks awarded near the opponent's goal can often lead to scoring opportunities, either from the kick itself or from an ensuing set piece. Accordingly, developing plays from free kicks are an important part of team strategy, and defending against them is an important skill for defenders.

There are various techniques used with direct free kicks. The player taking the direct free kick may choose to strike the ball with as much force as possible, usually with the laces of the boot. Alternatively, players may attempt to curl the ball around the keeper or the wall, with the inside or outside the boot. Additionally, certain free-kick specialists will choose to kick the ball with minimal spin, making the ball behave unpredictably in the air (similar to the action of a knuckleball pitch in baseball). The kicker may also attempt to drive the shot under the wall formed by the opposition defenders using the inside of their boot in a passing manner. Free kick takers may also attempt to cross the ball to their centre-backs or strikers to get a header on goal, since they usually are the tallest members of the team, especially if the position of the free kick is close to the wings.

Strategy

Most teams have one or two designated free kick takers, depending on the distance from goal and the side of the pitch from which the free kick is to be taken. The strategy may be to score a goal directly from the free kick, or to use the free kick as the beginning of a set piece leading towards a goal scoring opportunity.

The kicking team may have more than one player line up behind the ball, run up to the ball, and/or feint a kick in order to confuse or deceive the defence as to their intentions; this is usually legal as long as no other infringements occur.

Where there is a potential for a shot on goal to occur from a direct free kick, often the defending side will erect a "wall" of players standing side by side as a barrier to the shot. The number of players composing the wall varies based on distance and strategy. The wall is typically positioned to screen the area of the near side post, while the far side post is normally referred to as the primary responsibility of the goalkeeper, which is why the goalkeeper is often positioned further towards the far side post than the near side post after forming a wall.

Beginning in the 2020s teams often choose to deploy a player to lie behind the wall, to prevent the free kick taker kicking the ball below the wall when the defenders jump anticipating a kick over the top. Colloquially this role has become known as a 'draught excluder'. A kicker who has the skill to curl the ball around a wall is at a distinct advantage. Since 2000, referees at the highest levels of football have used vanishing spray to enforce the 9.15m (30.02feet) minimum required distance for the wall; referees without vanishing spray may indicate the minimum distance verbally and/or with hand gestures. In 2019, Law 13 was changed to require attacking players to maintain a minimum 1m (03feet) distance from a defensive "wall" until the ball is in play.[3]

Offences for which the free kick is awarded

The following are the offences punishable by a free kick in the 2019 Laws of the Game. A free kick may be awarded only for an offence committed while the ball is in play, or at a restart of play.[7] If an offence is committed in any other circumstance, the offending player may be punished with disciplinary action, but play restarts in the same manner it would have restarted without the offence.[8]

Direct free kick / penalty kick

Indirect free kick

History

Before 1863

The concept of a free kick—i.e., an opportunity to kick the ball without being challenged by opponents—is found in public school football games from the early nineteenth century. The three situations in which the free kick was typically found are:[23]

Fair catch

The fair catch was the most common reason for a free kick in football codes of the early nineteenth-century. An early example is found in the testimony of Matthew Bloxam, in the famous passage where he attributes the innovation of "running with the ball" at Rugby School to the actions of William Webb Ellis in 1823:[24]

The first published laws of football, those of Rugby School in 1845, confirm that a free kick was awarded for a catch:[25]

Although the 1848 "Cambridge rules" described by Henry C. Malden in 1897 have not survived, Malden implies that they awarded a free kick for a fair catch.[26] The 1856 Cambridge rules, which do survive, explicitly awarded such a free kick:[27]

Other early codes awarding a free kick for a fair catch include Shrewsbury School (1855),[28] Harrow School (1858),[29] Sheffield FC (1858),[30] Melbourne FC (1859),[31] and Blackheath FC (1862).[32] All these kicks, except for Sheffield's, permit a goal to be scored directly.

Touch-down

The free kick after a touch-down (also known as a "try at goal") is found at Rugby School from the mid-1830s.[33] It is also found in Rugby-influenced codes, such as Marlborough College,[34] and in the Cambridge Rules of 1863, which were drawn up by a committee including representatives from both Marlborough and Rugby.[35]

After an offence by the opposition

The first Rugby School rules (1845) awarded a punt or a drop-kick to the opposition after a player took "a punt when he [was] not entitled to it".[36] The 1846 revision of the Rugby School rules kept that rule, but added the provision that a goal could not be scored from such a drop-kick, giving an early example of an indirect free-kick.[37] Other codes that used a free kick to punish an infringement of the rules included the Uppingham laws of 1857 (for offside),[38] and the Melbourne FC laws of 1860 (for any offence).[39]

Summary

YearCodeNameFree kick awarded for
Fair catchTouch downOffence by
opposition
1823Rugby School
(uncodified, based on
later recollections)
[40] [41]
1845Rugby School Place-kick
Punt
Drop		rowspan="1" [42]
1846
1847Eton Field Game[43]
1848Cambridge Rules
(as recalled by Malden)[44]
1855ShrewsburyHoist
1856Cambridge Rules"Kick it as he can"
1857Uppingham School"Kick it as best he can"
Fair kick		[45]
1858Harrow SchoolFree kick
1858Sheffield FCFree kick[46]
1859Melbourne FCFree kick
1860Melbourne FCFree kick[47]
1862Barnes FC
1862Blackheath FCFree kick
1862Eton Field Game[48]
1862The Simplest Game
1863Cambridge RulesFree kick[49]
1863Charterhouse School
1863Marlborough College[50]
1863Winchester College
1863Football AssociationFree kick[51]

The 1863 FA Rules

The original laws of the Football Association, published in December 1863, awarded a free kick in two situations:[52]

In both cases, the kick could be taken "in such manner as the kicker may think fit". This was interpreted as allowing a kick from hand (a punt or drop-kick), in addition to a place kick.[53] In the first ever game played under Football Association rules, (Barnes v Richmond, 19 December 1863), Barnes FC attempted six such "tries at goal", but missed all of them.[54]

Abolition (1866–1872)

At the first revision of the FA laws, in 1866, the free kick was removed from the game. Reference to the fair catch disappeared from the laws (though catching was still permitted), while the touch down, rather than being rewarded with a free kick, became a tie-breaker to be used when an equal number of goals was scored by each team.[55]

In 1867, Sheffield Football Club proposed to the FA that handling should be banned, with a free kick awarded as punishment for handball.[56] Records of the FA's annual meeting do not indicate that this proposal received any formal discussion, and it was not adopted:[57] however, a similar proposal was incorporated into the inaugural laws of the Sheffield Football Association later that same year.[58]

In 1870, handling was completely banned in the FA laws, upon the basis of a proposal by Upton Park FC. Wanderers FC and Civil Service FC both suggested that handling should be punished with a throw-in to the opposition, but their proposals were not adopted.[59]

Reintroduction (1872–1873)

In 1872, the free kick was reintroduced, on the basis of a proposal by Harrow Chequers F.C. It was awarded to punish illegal handling of the ball, and did not allow a goal to be scored directly.[60] The 1872 laws neglected to define exactly how a free kick should be taken; this omission was made up in 1873, when it was specified that the ball must be on the ground, with opponents at least 6yd from the ball, unless behind their own goal-line. These restrictions were proposed by Clapton Pilgrims, and amended by Francis Marindin of Royal Engineers FC.

Subsequent developments

Position of opponents

In 1913, the distance opponents were required to retreat was increased from 6ydto9.15m (30.02feet). In 1936, it was further specified that players could be less than 9.15m (30.02feet) away only if they were on the goal-line between the posts (rather than anywhere on the goal-line).[61]

In 1965, opponents were required to remain outside the penalty area when a free kick was being taken from within the kicking team's penalty area. (A similar change had been made to the laws for the goal kick in 1948).[62]

Position of teammates

In 2019, members of the team taking the free-kick were forbidden from standing within one metre of any "wall" made by the defensive team.

Putting the ball into play

In 1887, it was specified that "[t]he ball must at least be rolled over before it shall be considered played". This requirement was made more precise in 1895: the ball "must make a complete circuit or travel the distance of its circumference" before being in play. In 1997, this requirement was eliminated: the ball became in play as soon as it was kicked and moved (and left the penalty area, if necessary; see below).[63] In 2016, it was specified that the ball must "clearly" move.[64]

In 1937, a free kick taken within the kicking team's own penalty area was required to leave the penalty area before being considered in play. This followed a parallel change in the goal-kick law the previous year.[65] Both changes were reversed in 2019.

Method of kicking

In 2007, the laws specified that feinting, and lifting the ball with one or both feet, were both legitimate methods of taking a free kick.[66]

Dribbling

In 1874, the player taking the free kick was forbidden from touching the ball again until it had been played by another player.[67]

Scoring a goal directly

When reintroduced in 1872, the free kick did not permit a goal to be scored.[60]

In 1891, the penalty kick was introduced, for certain offences committed within 12yd of the goal-line. The penalty kick permitted a goal to be scored directly (unlike the free kick, which was still exclusively indirect).

In 1903 the direct free-kick was reintroduced, for the same offences penalized by a penalty kick when committed in the penalty area.[68]

In 1927, the laws were amended to prevent an own goal from being scored directly from any free kick (whether direct or indirect).[69]

Awarded within the goal area

In 1978, it was specified that a free-kick awarded to a team within its own goal-area could be taken from any point within that half of the goal-area in which the offence occurred. This change was made in order to remove any disadvantage that might come from being forced to take the kick from a "restricted position" near the goal-posts.[70] In 1992, this provision was further widened to permit such a free-kick to be taken from any point within the goal-area.[71] This change, which was proposed "to reduce time-wasting", was made in conjunction with a parallel change to the goal kick law.[72]

In 1984, it was specified that an indirect free kick awarded for an offence within the opposing team's goal area should be taken at the closest point on the 6spell=inNaNspell=in line. This change was made in order to avoid "crowding" and "jostling".[73]

Remedy for infringements

In 1882, an indirect free kick was awarded to the opposing side if the player taking the free kick touched the ball twice.[74] In 1905, encroachment by the opposition at a free kick was also punished with an indirect free-kick.[75] In 1938, this punishment was eliminated; it was specified instead that, in the event of encroachment, the referee "shall delay the taking of the kick until the Law is complied with".[76] In 1937, it was specified that if a free kick taken from within the kicking side's penalty area did not leave the penalty area, it should be retaken.[77] This requirement was removed in 2019.

In 2019, the laws were modified to state that, if a team-mate of the kicker was closer than one metre to a "wall" formed by the defending team, an indirect free-kick should be awarded.

Offside from a free kick

The laws of football have always permitted an offside offence to be committed from a free kick. The free kick contrasts, in this respect, with other restarts of play such as the goal kick, corner kick, and throw-in.

An unsuccessful proposal to remove the possibility of being offside from a direct free-kick was made in 1929.[78] Similar proposals to prevent offside offences from any free-kick were advanced in 1974 and 1986, each time without success.[79] [80] In 1987, the Football Association (FA) obtained the permission of IFAB to test such a rule in the 1987-88 GM Vauxhall Conference.[81] [82] At the next annual meeting, the FA reported to IFAB that the experiment had, as predicted, "assisted further the non-offending team and also generated more action near goal, resulting in greater excitement for players and spectators"; it nevertheless withdrew the proposal.[83]

Offences for which the kick was awarded

Illegal handling

As mentioned above, the free kick was revived in 1872 to punish illegal handling (by the goalkeeper or any other player).[60] In 1903, when the direct free kick was reintroduced, it was used to punish handball: technical handling offences by the goalkeeper continued to be punished by an indirect free kick.[68]

Foul play

In 1874, the use of the free kick was extended to cover offences resulting from foul play.[67] Since 1903, when the direct free kick was reintroduced, most forms of foul play have been punished by a direct free kick. The exceptions, punished by an indirect free kick, are listed below:

Disciplinary offences / misconduct

Since 1907, an indirect free kick has been awarded whenever play is stopped to send off a player (unless the laws called for a direct free kick or penalty kick).[91] In 1934, this principle was extended to cautions.[92] [93]

From 1967 to 2000, there was a separate offence of timewasting by the goalkeeper, punishable by an indirect free kick.[94]

Offences at the restart of play

In 1882, an indirect free-kick was awarded for a double touch at a free kick, throw-in, goal kick, or kick-off. In 1901, this was extended to a double touch at a penalty kick.Encroachment by the opposition has been punished by an indirect free-kick at various times:

The indirect free-kick was also awarded for a foul throw from 1882.[100] In 1931, this remedy was changed to a throw-in to the opposition.[101]

Offside

Offside has been punished by an indirect free-kick since 1874.[67]

Summary

DateGoal may be scored directlyMay be kicked from handBall may be touched twiceMinimum distance (opponents)Taken from kicking team's penalty areaPosition when taken from goal areaRemedy for infringementDate
Attacking goalOwn goalBall must leave penalty areaOpponents must be
outside penalty area		Of kicking teamOf opponentsDouble-touchEncroachment
by opposition
1863-- May be kicked from hand 1863-66 -->-- Minimum distance (opponents) 1863-66 -->-- remedy for infringement 1863-66 -->1863
18661866
1872-- May be kicked from hand 1872-73 -->-- Minimum distance (opponents) 1872-73 -->-- remedy for double touch 1872-1874 -->1872
18736yd <-- Minimum distance (opponents) 1873-1913 -->1873
1874-- remedy for double touch 1874-1882 -->1874
1882Indirect free-kick <-- remedy for double touch 1882-present -->1882
1902-- opponents must be outside penalty area 1902-1962 -->From place of offence <-- Kicking team's goal area 1902-1978 -->From place of offence <-- Opponents' goal area 1902-1984 -->1902
19031903
1905Indirect free-kick <-- remedy for encroachment 1905-1938 -->1905
19139.150NaN0 <-- Minimum distance (opponents) 1913-present -->1913
1927-- Own goal may be scored directly 1927-present -->1927
19371937
1938Retake <-- remedy for encroachment 1938-present -->1938
19651965
1978From that half of goal area in which offence was committed<-- Kicking team's goal area 1978-1992 -->1978
1984From the nearest point on the 6spell=inNaNspell=in line <-- Opponents' goal area 1984-present -->1984
1992From anywhere within the goal area<-- Kicking team's goal area 1978-1992 -->1992
20192019

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Laws of the Game 2019/20 . 70 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200127175142/http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/794/103357_200519_LotG_201920_EN_Booklet.pdf . 27 January 2020 . live .
  2. Web site: Introduction to Youth Soccer. 6 July 2020. kickit. https://web.archive.org/web/20040629235856/https://www.kickit.to/soccer/Introduction_To_Youth_Soccer.pdf. 29 June 2004. live.
  3. Web site: Laws of the Game 2019/20 . 88 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190603034707/http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf . 3 June 2019 . live .
  4. Web site: Laws of the Game 2019/20 . 123 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190603034707/http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf . 3 June 2019 . live .
  5. LAW 13 – FREE KICKS – The direct free kick -FIFA.com
  6. Web site: Free Kick and Restart Management . United States Soccer Federation . 10 July 2018 . 10 February 2009 . 1 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200801200459/https://www.massref.net/ussfdirectives/Free_Kick_and_Restart_Management.pdf . dead .
  7. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  8. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  9. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  10. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  11. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  12. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  13. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  14. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  15. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  16. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  17. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  18. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  19. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  20. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  21. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  22. http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/793/103202_200519_LotG_201920_EN_SinglePage.pdf Laws of the Game 2019/20
  23. The following situations are excluded:
    • starting the game, starting the second half, or restarting after a goal (this is discussed in the kick-off article)
    • returning the ball into play after it has gone over the sidelines of the field of play (this is discussed in the throw-in article)
    • returning the ball into play, by the defending side, after it has gone over the goal-line (this is discussed in the goal kick article).
  24. Rugby School Football Play . 155–156 . 1880-12-22 . Matthew Holbeche . Bloxam . The Meteor . 157 . Rugby . 25 November 2019 . 1 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200801190114/http://rugbyschoolarchives.co.uk/Filename.ashx?tableName=ta_meteor&columnName=filename&recordId=520 . dead . . Emphasis added.
  25. Laws of Football as played at Rugby School (1845).
  26. Well, sir, years afterwards some one took those rules, still in force at Cambridge, and with very few alterations they became the Association Rules. A fair catch, free kick (as still played at Harrow) was struck out. [emphasis added] . The Sportsman . 1898-01-08 . 3 . 8851 . London . Association Football: No. 1 -- Its Origin . C. W. . Alcock .
  27. Cambridge Rules (1856).
  28. Description of the Rules of Football as played at Shrewsbury School (1855) . A player who caught the ball direct from a kick could take a 'hoist' (i.e. drop kick).
  29. Rules of Harrow Football (1858) . Whoever catches the Ball is entitled to a free kick if he calls 3spell=InNaNspell=In.
  30. Sheffield Rules (1858) . Fair Catch is a Catch from any player provided the Ball has not touched the ground and has not been thrown from touch and entitles a free kick.
  31. Melbourne Football Club (1859) . Any player catching the ball directly from the foot may call 'mark'. He then has a free kick; no player from the opposite side being allowed to come inside the spot marked.
  32. Rules of Blackheath Football Club (1862) . A fair catch is a catch direct from the foot, or a knock-on from the hand of one of the opposite side; when the catcher may either run with the ball or make his mark by inserting his heel in the ground on the spot where he catches it; in which case he is entitled to a free kick.
  33. Book: Macrory, Jenny . 1991 . Running with the Ball: The Birth of Rugby Football . London . HarperCollins . 112–114 . 0002184028. Technically, the touchdown was not rewarded directly with a free kick but with a "punt out" from the goal-line, which could be kicked backwards to a team-mate, who could then catch the ball, make a mark, and proceed with a free-kick as after a fair catch. The procedure is described in Tom Brown's School-Days: Book: "An Old Boy" [Thomas Hughes] . 1857 . Macmillan . Cambridge . Tom Brown's School Days . 119–120 . : The simpler "conversion" that survives today in rugby and gridiron football was first used at Marlborough College, before being used in the first laws of the Rugby Football Union (1871).
  34. Description of the Rules of Football as played at Marlborough College (1863) . The most important points of difference between the two games [Rugby School and Marlborough] [...] are [...] the uniform distance of 30yd in front of "touch" for the "place kick" at Marlborough, instead of the kick from an undefined place at Rugby.
  35. Cambridge Rules (1863) . When a player has kicked the ball beyond the opponent's goal line, whoever first touches the ball when it is on the ground with his hand may have a free kick, bringing the ball 25yd straight out from the goal line.
  36. Laws of Football as played at Rugby School (1845) . If a player take a punt when he is not entitled to it, the opposite side may take a punt or drop, without running if the ball has not touched two hands.
  37. Laws of Football as played at Rugby School (1846) . If a player take a punt when he is not entitled to it, the opposite side may take a punt or drop, without running, (after touching the ball on the ground) if the ball has not touched two hands, but such drop may not be a goal.
  38. Rules for Football at Uppingham School (1857) . If any player kicks off-side, the opposite side may claim a fair kick from the place where it was kicked off-side.
  39. Rules of Melbourne Football Club (1860) . In case of deliberate infringement of any of the above Rules by either side, the Captain of the opposing side may claim that any one of his party may have a free kick from the place where the breach of the Rules was made; the two Captains in all cases, save where Umpires are appointed, to be the sold judges of infringements.
  40. Book: Macrory, Jenny . Running With the Ball . London . Collins Willow . 1991 . 113.
  41. Strictly speaking, the touch-down entitled the attacking team to a "punt-out", which could then be caught by a team-mate to set up a free kick as from a fair catch.
  42. Illegal punt
  43. The "rouge" entitled the attacker to a free kick 10NaN0 out from goal
  44. The Sportsman . 1898-01-08 . 3 . 8851 . London . Association Football: No. 1 -- Its Origin . C. W. . Alcock .
  45. offside
  46. Draft rules had free kick for handball, but removed from published version of laws
  47. Any offence
  48. Rouge now offers a "touch" rather than a kick
  49. From 25yd
  50. taken from 30yd
  51. taken from 15yd
  52. This does not include the "free kick from the goal-line", which was awarded to the defending team after they touched the ball down behind their own goal-line. It is treated under the goal kick article.
  53. See e.g. Sporting Life . 1864-01-27 . 1 . Eleven of Barnes v. Mr. Greaves's Eleven . Hay, on the part of Barnes, touched the ball down behind his adversary's goal. Being by the new rules entitled to a free kick from 15spell=inNaNspell=in outside the goal line, he punted the ball very neatly between the posts [emphasis added].
  54. Field . 1863-12-26 . 7 . Barnes v. Richmond.
  55. The definition of a free kick remained in the 1866 laws, perhaps through oversight; the now-redundant definition was deleted in 1867.
  56. Football Association . The Sporting Life . London . 1867-02-03 . 1.
  57. Bell's Life in London . The Football Association . 1867-03-02 . 9 . 2341 .
  58. Sheffield Rules (March 1867) . No player shall hold or carry the ball, or knock or push it on with the hand or arm. The side breaking this role forfeits a free kick to the opposite side.
  59. Football Association . The Sportsman . London . 748 . 3 . 1870-02-02.
  60. No player shall carry or knock on the ball; and handling the ball, under any pretence whatever, shall be prohibited, except in the case of the goal-keeper, who shall be allowed to use his hands for the protection of his goal. In the event of an infringement of this rule, a free kick shall be forfeited to the opposite side from the spot where the infringement took place, but in no case shall a goal be scored from such free kick. .
  61. Web site: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1936 . 4 . 2019-11-29.
  62. Web site: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1965 . p. 2 [p. 7 of the PDF] . 2019-11-29.
  63. Web site: International Football Association Board: 1997 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting . 133 . 2019-12-03.
  64. Web site: IFAB: Law Changes 2016-17 . 42 . 2019-12-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160615041349/http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/assets/documents/IFAB_laws_of_the_game_changes.pdf . 2016-06-15 . dead .
  65. Web site: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1937 . 5 . 2019-11-29.
  66. Web site: https://invisiblecollege.weblog.leidenuniv.nl/files/2008/06/laws_of_the_game_0708_10565[1.pdf Laws of the Game 2007/2008 ]. 124 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210707061826/https://invisiblecollege.weblog.leidenuniv.nl/files/2008/06/laws_of_the_game_0708_10565%5B1%5D.pdf . 7 July 2021 . live .
  67. 11. In the event of any infringement of Rules VI., VIII., or IX., a free kick shall be forfeited to the opposite side from the spot where the infringement took place, but in no case shall a goal be scored from such free kick, nor shall the ball be again played by the kicker until it shall have been kicked by some other player. .
  68. A goal may be scored from a free kick which is awarded because of any infringement of Law 9, but not from any other free kick..
  69. Web site: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1927 . 3 . 2019-11-29.
  70. Web site: International Football Association Board: 1978 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting . 2019-12-30 . pp. 5-6 [p. 6-7 of PDF] .
  71. Web site: International Football Association Board: 1992 Agenda of the Annual General Meeting . 2019-12-30 . pp. 10 [p. 12 of PDF] .
  72. Web site: International Football Association Board: 1992 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting . 2018-10-23 . 14.
  73. Web site: International Football Association Board: 1984 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting . 2018-10-16 . 4.
  74. Laws of the Game (1882) . 11. In the event of any infringement of Rules 5, 6, 8, or 9, 12, or 14, a free kick shall be forfeited to the opposite side from the spot where the infringement took place.
    12. In no case shall a goal be scored from any free kick, nor shall the ball be again played by the kicker until it has been played by another player[emphasis added]. .
  75. Laws of the Game (1905) . [Law 10]

    When a free kick has been awarded, the kicker's opponents shall not approach within 6yd of the ball unless they are standing on their own goal-line.
    [Law 17]: In the event of any infringement of Laws 5, 6, 8, 10, or 16, a free kick shall be awarded to the opposite side, [emphasis added]

    .
  76. News: Evening Telegraph . Dundee . 1938-07-27 . 7 . The Revised Laws of Football: Free Kick and Penalty Kick.
  77. Web site: International Football Association Board: 1937 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting . 5.
  78. Web site: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1929 . 2 . 2020-03-27.
  79. Web site: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1974 . 5 [p. 6 of the PDF] . 2020-03-27.
  80. Web site: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1986 . 4-5 [pp. 7-8 of the PDF] . 2020-03-27.
  81. Web site: Approved Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1987 . 32 [p. 34 of the PDF] . 2020-03-27.
  82. The Guardian . 1987-06-15 . 28 . FA told to bring back red cards .
  83. Web site: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1988 . 12–13. 2020-03-27.
  84. Web site: International Football Association Board: 1951 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting . 3 . the following new offence to be punished by an indirect free-kick: (3) When not playing the ball, intentionally obstructing an opponent.
  85. In 2016, impeding an opponent with contact was made a direct free kick offence
  86. Web site: Laws of the Game 2016/17 . 82 . 2020-02-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160911032912/http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/60/Laws%20of%20the%20Game_16-17_Digital_Eng.pdf . 2016-09-11 . live .
  87. Web site: International Football Association Board: 1948 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting . 5 . CHARGES FAIRLY ... WHEN THE BALL IS NOT WITHIN PLAYING DISTANCE OF THE PLAYERS CONCERNED AND THEY ARE DEFINITELY NOT ATTEMPTING TO PLAY IT.
  88. In 1997, this was abolished as a separate offence; all forms of charging an opponent "in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless, or involving excessive force" became punishable by a direct free-kick
  89. Web site: International Football Association Board: 1997 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting . p. 25 [p. 129 of the PDF] . 2020-02-01.
  90. this became a separate offence in 2016: before then, it was included under dangerous play
  91. Laws of the Game (1907) . 17: In the event of any infringement of Laws 5, 6, 8, 10, or 16, or of a player being sent off the field under Law 13, a free kick shall be awarded to the opposite side [emphasis added].
  92. with the exception, from 1938-1969, of a caution for a player entering or leaving the field of play without the referee's permission: in this case play was restarted with a dropped ball
  93. Web site: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1934 . p. 3 [p. 4 of PDF] . 2020-02-09 . Law 13: Decision of the International Board:— If a game has been stopped in consequence of ungentlemanly behaviour by a player, it must be resumed by a free kick in favour of the opposite side, whether the player has only been cautioned or sent off the field.
  94. Web site: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board 1967 . 7 . 2020-02-09 . When playing as goalkeeper [...] indulges in tactics which, in the opinion of the Referee, are designed merely to hold up the game and thus waste time and so give an unfair advantage to his own team [...] shall be penalised by the award of an indirect free kick .
  95. Laws of the Game (1887) . In the event of any infringement of rules 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, a free kick shall be forfeited to the opposite side, from the spot where the infringement took place [emphasis added]. .
  96. Laws of the Game (1903) . [Law 2] Decision of International Board:-- If this law is not complied with, the kick-off must be taken over again.
  97. Laws of the Game (1905) . [Law 10]

    When a free kick has been awarded, the kicker's opponents shall not approach within 6 yards of the ball unless they are standing on their own goal-line. The ball must at least be rolled over before it shall be considered played; i.e., it must make a complete circuit or travel the distance of its circumference. The kicker shall not play the ball a second time until it has been played by another player. The kick-off (except as provided by Law 2), corner-kick, and goal-kick, shall be free kicks within the meaning of this Law.
    [Law 17]: In the event of any infringement of Laws 5, 6, 8, 10, or 16, a free kick shall be awarded to the opposite side, [emphasis added]

    .
  98. Web site: International Football Association Board: 1937 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting . 5 . Delete the words 'and goal-kick'.
  99. Web site: International Football Association Board: 1973 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting . p. 13 [p. 14 of PDF] . For any other infringement the kick shall be retaken . 27 December 2019 .
  100. Laws of the Game (1882) . In the event of any infringement of Rules 5, 6, 8, or 9, 12, or 14, a free kick shall be forfeited to the opposite side from the spot where the infringement took place..
  101. Football . 3 . 1931-06-19 . Carluke and Lanark Gazette.

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