An indirect free kick is a method of restarting play in football (soccer) awarded after certain fouls or infringements occur. Unlike a direct free kick, you cannot score directly from an indirect free kick; the ball must touch at least one other player (of either team) before it enters the goal for a goal to be awarded.
Understanding the Indirect Free Kick
The fundamental difference between a direct and an indirect free kick lies in the ability to score instantly. With an indirect free kick, the intention is often to build an attack or pass the ball to a teammate rather than shooting directly at the goal.
Key Characteristics:
- Two Touches Required: The ball must be touched by a second player (any player on the field, including opponents) after the initial kick before it can be considered a valid goal.
- Referee Signal: The referee signals an indirect free kick by holding one arm vertically above their head until the kick is taken and the ball touches another player or goes out of play.
When is an Indirect Free Kick Awarded?
Indirect free kicks are typically given for less serious fouls or technical infringements, rather than physical contact fouls (which usually result in direct free kicks).
Common situations include:
- Obstruction: Blocking an opponent's path without attempting to play the ball.
- Dangerous Play: Acting in a manner that could injure oneself or another player, even if no contact occurs (e.g., high kick near an opponent's head).
- Dissent: Verbally or physically showing disagreement with the referee's decision.
- Offside: When a player is in an offside position when the ball is played to them and interferes with play.
- Certain Goalkeeper Offences:
- Touching the ball with their hand/arm after releasing it into play and before it has touched another player.
- Touching the ball with their hand/arm after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a teammate.
- Touching the ball with their hand/arm after receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a teammate.
- Controlling the ball with the hand/arm for more than six seconds before releasing it inside their penalty area. This specific time limit is crucial and strictly enforced.
Executing an Indirect Free Kick
When an indirect free kick is awarded, the ball is placed at the spot where the infringement occurred (unless inside the opponent's goal area, in which case it's taken from the nearest point on the goal line).
Players of the opposing team must be at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball until it is in play, unless they are standing on their own goal line between the goalposts.
Practical Insights:
- Set-Piece Strategy: Indirect free kicks near the opponent's goal are valuable set-piece opportunities. Teams often devise specific plays, involving short passes or lay-offs before a shot is taken.
- Referee's Arm Signal: It's vital for players and fans to observe the referee's signal (arm raised) to distinguish an indirect kick from a direct one. If a direct shot is taken from an indirect kick and goes straight into the goal without touching anyone else, a goal is not awarded; instead, a goal kick is given to the defending team.
- Goalkeeper Time-Wasting: The "six-second rule" for goalkeepers (mentioned in the reference) is a specific instance leading to an indirect free kick. It's designed to prevent time-wasting, particularly when a team is leading late in a match.
Comparison: Direct vs. Indirect Free Kick
| Feature | Direct Free Kick | Indirect Free Kick |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring | Can be scored directly | Cannot be scored directly; must touch another player |
| Referee Signal | Arm pointed horizontally | Arm held vertically above head |
| Severity of Foul | Usually for physical contact fouls | Usually for technical/non-contact fouls & infringements |
Understanding the difference and the specific scenarios leading to each type of free kick is fundamental to comprehending the rules of football.
