Soccer Direct Free Kick

A direct free kick in soccer is one of three ways to put the ball back into play after a foul has occurred. Direct free kicks are awarded to the team that was fouled, giving them possession of the ball. Read on to learn more about direct free kicks.

Direct Free Kick Procedure

After the play has been whistled dead by the referee, a player from the fouled team will place the ball at the spot of the foul. They then kick the ball, either passing it to a teammate or kicking it on net. This is the difference between direct and indirect free kicks, as indirect free kicks must touch another player before going in the net.

All defenders must stay 10 yards away from the ball before it is kicked on a direct free kick. If an opponent is within 10 yards when a direct free kick is taken, the kick will be retaken.

Offenses That Result In A Direct Free Kick

According to the Laws of the Game, there are ten offenses that result in a direct free kick. If done in a manner considered reckless, careless or using excessive force, the first seven such offenses include:

• Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
• Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent
• Jumping at an opponent
• Charging an opponent
• Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
• Pushing an opponent
• Tackling an opponent

Regardless of the manner in which they were completed, three other offenses also result in a direct free kick. Those three offenses include:

• Holding an opponent
• Spitting at an opponent
• Handling the ball deliberately (except by a goalkeeper within the penalty area)

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