Free kicks are either direct or indirect.
For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary
when the kick is taken and the kicker does not touch the ball a second
time until it has touched another player.

The Direct Free Kick
• if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a
goal is awarded
• if a direct free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a
corner kick is awarded to the opposing team

The Indirect Free Kick
Signal
The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his
head. He maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been
taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.

Ball Enters the Goal
A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another
player before it enters the goal.
• if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal,
a goal kick is awarded
• if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team’s own goal,
a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team

Position of Free Kick

Free Kick Inside the Penalty Area
Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team:
• all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball
• all opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in
   play
• the ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty
   area
• a free kick awarded in the goal area is taken from any point inside
   that area

Indirect free kick to the attacking team:
• all opponents are 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 goalposts
• the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
• an indirect free kick awarded inside the goal area is taken from
   that part of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line,
   at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred

Free Kick Outside the Penalty Area
• all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is
   in play
• the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves
• the free kick is taken from the place where the infringement
   occurred

Infringements/Sanctions
If, when a free kick is taken, an opponent is closer to the ball than the
required distance:
• the kick is retaken

If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own
penalty area, the ball is not kicked directly into play:
• the kick is retaken

Free kick taken by a player other than the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball a second time
(except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
• an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to
be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
* (see page 3)

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker deliberately handles the ball before
it has touched another player:
• a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be
taken from the place where the infringement occurred * (see page 3)
• a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the
kicker’s penalty area

Free kick taken by the goalkeeper
If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper touches the ball a second
time (except with his hands), before it has touched another player:
• an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick
to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred
 

If, after the ball is in play, the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball
before it has touched another player:
• a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement
occurred outside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the kick to
be taken from the place where the infringement occurred

• an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the
infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper’s penalty area, the
kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred