In modern football, there are lots of rules and terminologies. In our last article, we discussed Walkover meaning in soccer and how it works. It is another term today, “Indirect Free Kick”. An indirect free kick is a type of free kick awarded to a team when the opposing team commits a non-penal (minor) foul. Unlike a direct free kick, an indirect free kick cannot result in a goal unless the ball is touched by another player before crossing the goal line. In this article, we will discuss the rules and regulations surrounding indirect free kicks in football.
What does an Indirect Free Kick means in soccer?
An indirect free kick is a type of free kick awarded to a team when the opposing team commits a minor foul. This means that the player taking the free kick cannot score a goal directly from the kick. Instead, the ball must touch another player first before crossing the goal line for a goal to be awarded.
What causes an indirect free kick?
An indirect free kick is awarded for a variety of non-penal fouls, including:
Player offenses that result in Indirect Free Kick
- Dangerous play
- Impeding an opponent without contact
- Playing in a dangerous manner
- Preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands
- Touching the ball with the hands or arms (excluding the goalkeeper within their penalty area)
Goalkeepers’ offenses that result in IDK
Indirect-free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, within his/her penalty area, commits any of the following five offenses;
- Takes more than six seconds to hold the ball in his hands.
- Touches the ball again with the hands after it has been released from the keeper’s possession and has not touched another player.
- Touches the ball with the hands when his teammate intentionally passes to him or her
- Touches the ball with the hands after receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a teammate
Where is an Indirect Free Kick Taken?
An indirect free kick is taken from the spot where the foul was committed. If the foul was committed inside the penalty area or box, the indirect free kick is taken from the nearest point on the penalty area line.
The opposing team must be at least 10 yards away from the ball when the free kick is taken. If the opposing team fails to retreat 10 yards, the referee may caution the offending player or players with a yellow card.
How is an Indirect Free Kick Taken?
The player taking the indirect free kick must first signal to the referee that it will be an indirect free kick.
The ball must be stationary when the kick is taken, and the player taking the kick cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.
If the ball goes directly into the goal without touching another player, the goal does not count and a goal kick is awarded to the opposing team.
What is indirect free kick signal? The referee will raise his/her hand up above the head with the hand-palm facing front. The signal will be maintained until the player played the ball.
Why is a free kick direct or indirect in football?
Indirect free kicks and direct free kicks are two distinct types of free kicks awarded in football, each with its own set of rules and conditions.
Indirect Free Kicks
- An indirect free kick cannot result in a goal directly from the kick. The ball must touch another player before crossing the goal line for a goal to be awarded.
- Indirect free kicks are awarded for less serious fouls, such as impeding an opponent without contact, playing dangerously, or preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands.
- The ball must be stationary when the kick is taken, and the kicker must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
- If the ball goes directly into the goal without touching another player, a goal kick is awarded to the opposing team.
- If the ball is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded.
- The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising their arm above their head and maintaining this position until the kick has been taken and the ball touches another player or goes out of play.
Direct Free Kicks
- A direct free kick can result in a goal directly from the kick.
- Direct free kicks are awarded for more serious fouls, such as handball offenses, deliberate fouls, or dangerous play.
- The ball must be stationary when the kick is taken, and the kicker must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
- If the ball goes directly into the goal, a goal is awarded.
- If the ball is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded.
- The referee indicates a direct free kick by pointing their arm forward in the direction the team that has won the free kick is shooting[1][3].
Conclusion
Overall, an indirect free kick is a type of free kick awarded to a team when the opposing team commits a non-penal foul. The player taking the free kick cannot score a goal directly from the kick, and the ball must touch another player before crossing the goal line for a goal to be awarded. Indirect free kicks are taken from the spot where the foul was committed, and the opposing team must be at least 10 yards away from the ball when the free kick is taken.