Question Number: 23854

Mechanics 8/29/2010

RE: Competitive Under 19

Geoffrey of Southern California, CA USA asks...

What is the proper procedure to indicate an indirect free kick? You blow your whistle - say for playing in a dangerous manner. Then do you point in the direction of the team that will be taking the kick? Then do you raise your hand straight in the air to indicate it's an indirect kick? Or do you skip the part of pointing the direction of the restart? On Offside calls I frequently see referees not make a directional signal and just raise their hand in the air or they will make a touchline to touchline sweeping signal with their hand as if pointing out the offside line and then go with their hand in the air for the indirect free kick.

I really appreciate your website and the great advice you give, thank you for advice you can provide on this question.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Geoffrey
Referees should always point the direction of free kicks and most definitely on IDFK offences such as PIADM as the team may not know what the offence is for or the direction of the FK.
So you have the correct procedure. Blow for the foul, point the direction and then raise the arm to signal that it is an IDFK. Keep the arm raised until the ball touches another player.
On most offsides it will be plainly obvious that the AR has raised the flag so there is no confusion. When I am on my own I blow the whistle and if there is any confusion say on an immediate challenge I shout 'Offside' and then raise the arm for the IDFK signal.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Whistle
Point direction.
Raise one arm.
Lower the arm only after it touches another player.

When the IFK is awarded in the defensive or middle third, the referee can move to a good position to view play before raising the arm. (One does not need to run down the field with an arm in the air.)

When the IFK is in a dangerous position near the attacking third, it is important to raise the arm asap so that the players understand that the kick is indirect.

Some referees raise the arm immediately on an offside call to help the players understand that play was not stopped for a foul. IMO, newer referees should always signal direction first, for that is the most important information to the players.