IFAB Laws of the Game · Law 13

Law 13: Free Kicks

Direct and indirect free kicks, the wall, the ball in play, and offences by the kicker or opponents.

Direct and indirect free kicks

A goal can be scored directly from a direct free kick against the opponents. From an indirect free kick a goal can only be scored after the ball has touched another player — the referee signals one by raising an arm above the head until that happens or the ball goes out of play.

If a direct free kick is kicked directly into the taker's own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents. The same applies to an indirect free kick.

When the ball is in play

A free kick is taken from where the offence occurred, and the ball must be stationary. It is in play as soon as it is kicked and clearly moves.

A free kick to the defending team inside their own penalty area is in play immediately it is kicked and clearly moves — it no longer has to leave the penalty area, matching the goal-kick change. Opponents must be outside the penalty area until then.

The wall, and the required distance

Opponents must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play, unless they are on their own goal line between the posts.

Where three or more defenders form a wall, attacking players must remain at least 1 m from it until the ball is in play. An attacker who is closer results in an indirect free kick to the defending team.

A player who deliberately fails to respect the required distance is cautioned for delaying the restart.

Written against the published IFAB Laws of the Game. For the official text, see IFAB's own Laws documents.

Law 13 at a glance

Free kick wall and offences

Opponents must be at least 9.15 m from the ball until it is in play. Where three or more defenders form a wall, attackers must remain at least 1 m from it; an attacker inside that metre concedes an indirect free kick.

Law 13 practice questions

6 questions on Free Kicks, each with the correct answer and an explanation of the reasoning. These are drawn from the free question bank.

Question 1 Law 13 intro

How does the referee signal an indirect free kick, and for how long?

A One arm raised above the head, held until the kick is taken and the ball touches another player or goes out of play Correct answer

B One arm raised above the head until the ball is kicked

C One arm pointing towards the goal until the ball is in play

D Both arms raised above the head until the kick is taken

Why Law 13: the referee raises an arm above the head and keeps it there until the kick has been taken and the ball has touched another player, gone out of play, or it is clear a goal cannot be scored directly.

Question 2 Law 13 advanced

A team takes a free kick quickly. An opponent who was less than 9.15 m away — and had no time to retreat — intercepts the ball. What should the referee do?

A Allow play to continue Correct answer

B Stop play and retake the free kick

C Caution the opponent for failing to retreat and retake the kick

D Award an indirect free kick to the kicking team

Why Law 13: if a team takes a free kick quickly and an opponent who is closer than 9.15 m intercepts, the referee allows play to continue. Only an opponent who deliberately prevents the quick kick is cautioned.

Question 3 Law 13 standard

A defending team is awarded a free kick inside its own penalty area. When is the ball in play?

A As soon as it is kicked and clearly moves — it need not leave the penalty area Correct answer

B Only once it has left the penalty area

C Only once it has been touched by a second player

D Only once it has crossed the halfway line

Why Law 13: at a free kick to the defending team inside its own penalty area, the ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area until then.

Question 4 Law 13 standard

An indirect free kick is struck straight into the opponents' goal, with no other player touching the ball. What is the outcome?

A No goal — a goal kick is awarded to the defending team Correct answer

B A goal is awarded

C The kick is retaken

D A corner kick is awarded

Why Law 13: an indirect free kick cannot result in a goal unless the ball touches another player before entering the goal. If it goes straight in, no goal is given and the defending team is awarded a goal kick.

Question 5 Law 13 standard

An opponent deliberately stands in front of the ball and refuses to move away, preventing a free kick from being taken quickly. What is the sanction?

A A caution for delaying the restart of play Correct answer

B No sanction — defenders are entitled to do this

C A send-off

D A penalty kick, wherever the free kick was awarded

Why Law 13: an opponent who deliberately prevents a free kick being taken quickly, for example by standing over the ball or blocking its path, is cautioned for delaying the restart of play.

Question 6 Law 13 standard

Which opponents are exempt from the usual 9.15 m distance requirement at a free kick?

A Opponents standing on their own goal line, between the goalposts Correct answer

B None — the distance always applies to everyone

C Any defender who arrived at the wall first

D The goalkeeper, wherever they are standing

Why Law 13 exempts opponents standing on their own goal line, between the posts, from the 9.15 m distance rule — a free kick given very close to goal could not otherwise be defended at all.

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