Football has several rules, and one of the most debated is the Free-Kick Rule. This rule comes into play Football has many rules, and one of the most debated is the free-kick rule, especially when fouls lead to penalties or free kicks. So, what exactly is a free-kick in football? Let’s find out.
What is a Free-Kick in Football?
In football, a free-kick is awarded when a player commits a foul. A free-kick can be given anywhere on the field, except in the attacking team’s 18-yard box, where a foul results in a penalty instead. Rarely, free kicks are given inside the defending team’s penalty area. There are two types of free kicks: direct and indirect. These kicks are a common way to restart the game after a foul.
Law 13.1: Types of Free-Kick
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the governing body for football rules, explains in Law 13.1 that a free-kick is given when a player, substitute, or team official commits a foul. The type of free-kick awarded depends on the nature of the foul, either direct or indirect. Free kicks are awarded when players break the rules and interfere with the opponent’s play.
Free kicks are one of the most frequent ways to restart play. In many matches, there are more free kicks than corner kicks or goal kicks. Free kicks can lead to goals. A direct free-kick allows the player to shoot directly at the goal, while an indirect free-kick requires at least one other player to touch the ball before a goal can be scored.
Direct vs Indirect Free-Kick Rule
Direct Free-Kick
According to Law 12.1, a direct free-kick rule is awarded when a player commits one of the following fouls: charging, jumping at, kicking, pushing, striking, or attempting to strike (including head-butting), tripping, or making any other reckless or excessive actions against an opponent. If the foul happens inside the opponent’s penalty area, it results in a penalty kick.
ALSO READ: AB de Villiers vs Brian Lara: Stats Comparison
Indirect Free-Kick
An indirect free-kick rule is awarded for less serious offences. This includes playing the ball dangerously, blocking an opponent’s movement without touching them, or using offensive language. A free-kick is also indirect if a player prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball or tricks the referee by passing the ball to the goalkeeper using another body part, such as the chest or knee. In this case, the ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored.
Famous Free-Kicks in History
One of the most famous free kicks in football history was taken by Roberto Carlos in 1997 during a match between France and Brazil. The goal defied physics and became legendary for its impossible curve and speed. Carlos hit the ball with the outside of his foot, making it swerve around the wall and into the net. This goal has been described as one of the best in football history.
Carlos himself has said that he doesn’t know how he managed to score such a goal, and it remains a special moment in his career. In an interview, he mentioned that similar goals were scored in training, but never with the same amount of spin or swerve.
The Science Behind Roberto Carlos’s Free-Kick
The curve of Carlos’s free-kick has intrigued scientists for years. Researchers studied the goal, including a study conducted by four French scientists, which explained how the ball defied the normal laws of physics. Despite many believing such a goal could never be scored again, some physicists believe it is possible to replicate it.
Carlos himself was amazed by the result and said, “It was a beautiful goal, unforgettable. I never tried to kick like that again, because I knew I couldn’t do it again. But I was the first.”
READ MORE:
