1. LAW 13 – FREE KICKS
Online Training Script:
Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 9 Referee Course.
Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the small-sided and recreational youth game.
This presentation focuses on Law 13 – Free Kicks.
U.S. SOCCER FEDERATION REFEREE PROGRAM GRADE 9 REFEREE COURSE
SMALL-SIDED AND RECREATIONAL YOUTH TRAINING

2. TYPES OF FREE KICKS Direct free kick Indirect free kick
A goal can be scored directly from a direct free kick
Indirect free kick
A goal can ONLY be scored if the ball is touched by another player before entering the goal
Indirect free kick signal
The referee indicated by raising the arm above the head
The signal is maintained until the ball is kicked and touches another player or goes out of play
Penalty kick awarded when a direct free kick offense is committed by a team within their own penalty area
Online Training Script:
When player commits a direct free kick offense outside his or her own penalty area, or when a player commits an indirect free kick offense, the referee stops play and restarts with a free kick.
There are two types of free kick restarts, a direct and an indirect free kick.
A goal can be scored directly from a direct free kick.
For an indirect free kick, the ball must be touched by another player other than the kicker before entering the goal.
If a direct free kick offense is committed by a team within their own penalty area, the result is a penalty kick for the opposing team.
Referees should be sure to take note of the local rules of competition as some small-sided and recreational youth games may require that all free kicks be indirect.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

3. PROCEDURE Online Training Script:
The ball must be stationary prior to being put into play and the free kick taker cannot touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
If the free kick taker plays the ball a second consecutive time, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
PROCEDURE

4. LOCATION - WHERE THE OFFENSE OCCURED
Online Training Script:
The free kick is usually taken from the location of where the offense occurred.
All opponents should be at least 10 yards from the ball until the ball is put into play and referees should be aware that opposing teams may choose to form a wall of players typically positioned between the ball and goal.
The ball is in play once it is kicked and moves.
Some small-sided and recreational youth games may have distance requirements less than 10 yards so officials must know the local rules of competition to ensure that the proper guidelines are followed.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
LOCATION - WHERE THE OFFENSE OCCURED

5. EXCEPTIONS IN THE GOAL AREA
Online Training Script:
Although the free kick is typically taken from the location of the where the offense occurred, there are two exceptions to this that referees must be aware of.
If there is an indirect free kick awarded to an attacking team and the location of the offense was inside the goal area, the kick is taken from the nearest point on the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line.
If a free kick is awarded to a team within their own goal area, the free kick can be taken from anywhere in the goal area.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
Indirect free kick to the attacking team, Restart over the goal line
Free kick to the defending team, restart anywhere in the goal area

6. No notes.
REVIEW QUESTIONS

7. REVIEW QUESTIONS
For the goal to be allowed in the taking of an indirect free kick restart, does the ball have to make contact with another player, other than the kicker, before it enters the goal?
YES NO

8. USSOCCER.COM/REFEREES