Direct Free Kick - Procedure

Procedure

The kick is taken from where the foul occurred, unless that was within the fouled team's goal area, in which case it may be taken from anywhere within the goal area. The ball must be stationary prior to being kicked. Opponents must remain 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball (and also outside of the penalty area if the kick is taken from within the defending team's penalty area) until the ball is in play. Observing the minimum distance limit, the opposite players may choose to form a "wall" between the ball and the goal.

In order to keep the initiative a quick free kick is sometimes taken without waiting for the opposing players to retire from the 9.15 m (10 yard) radius.

The ball becomes in play as soon as it is kicked and moves, unless the kick was taken from within the kicking team's penalty area, in which case it is in play once it has passed directly beyond the penalty area.

A goal may be scored directly from a direct free kick, but only against the opposing side (i.e. an own goal may not be scored). However, should the ball directly land in the own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team. A player may be penalised for an offside offence committed from a direct free kick.

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