Free Kick & Defensive Wall

For a direct or indirect free kick, opponents must be at least 10 yards from the ball. A defensive wall with three or more players must have all attacking players stay out of it until the ball is in play.

The full rule

Free kicks are either direct — from which a goal can be scored directly — or indirect, which requires another player to touch the ball first. Opponents must be 10 yards (9.15 metres) from the ball. If a wall is formed with three or more defenders, no attacking player may be in the wall until the ball is in play — standing in the wall to cause disruption was banned by IFAB in 2019. The kick must be taken from the correct spot; moving the ball to a more advantageous position is an offence. The kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player has.

Key points

✓Opponents must be 10 yards from the ball before the kick
✓Direct free kick: goal can be scored directly
✓Indirect free kick: another player must touch it first
✓Attackers cannot stand in a defensive wall of three or more
✓The kicker cannot play the ball a second time before another player

Scenarios

Scenario 1

Attacker stands in the defensive wall

Foul

An attacker positions themselves inside the defensive wall of four players before the free kick is taken.

Correct call: The referee orders the attacker to leave the wall. If the kick is taken before they leave and it goes in, the goal stands — but the attacker should be cautioned.

Common mistake: Allowing attackers to remain in the wall because it used to be legal. IFAB changed this rule in 2019.

Scenario 2

Indirect free kick goes straight into goal

No goal

A player takes an indirect free kick that goes directly into the net without touching anyone else.

Correct call: Goal kick. A goal cannot be scored from an indirect free kick without another player touching the ball.

Common mistake: Awarding a goal because the ball crossed the line. The indirect nature of the kick overrides the result.