A direct free kick is a football term that is used to refer to an award given to the fouled team when the opposing team committed one of the many penal fouls. The direct free kick may result in a goal if the player who does it can kick the ball right into the goal.
Difference between Direct and Indirect Free Kicks
As mentioned, there are two kinds of free kicks. These two come with three major differences. One of these differences is that a direct free kick can result to a scored goal while an indirect free kick does not offer such advantageous probability. Another difference is that a direct free kick is awarded for more serious offences while the indirect one is awarded for less serious ones.Furthermore, a player who does the direct free kick cannot do it on the penalty aera of the offending team. This can only be done when the offending team had committed the offence in its own penalty area. When this happens, the free kick will be called a penalty kick. On the other hand, an indirect free kick can be awarded for an offence that is committed at any place or area of the field.
Direct Free Kick Procedure
There are a good number of steps that players must follow and the referee should impose when it comes to direct free kicks. These steps will consider the signal, location and the kick itself.During a free kick, several players will often line up so as to hide the plans of the defending team. This is before the referee makes a signal by raising his arm above the head and extending it horizontally.
When it comes to location, the direct free kick is usually done at the spot where the offence occurred, but with a small number of exceptions. These exceptions include when the offence is made in the goal area of the kicking team. The free kick will be done anywhere outside the said area. Another exception is when the offence took place beyond the boundaries of the field of play. When this happens, the free kick will be done along the boundary line that is located nearest to where the offence happened.
Lastly is the kick. All players doing the free kick must make sure that the ball is completely stationary before kicking it. The referee must also make sure that the opponents must be standing 10 yards or 9.15 meters away from the ball before it is kicked. In addition, if the free kick is done in the penalty area, the opponents should be standing outside the penalty area. Furthermore, all attacking players should be positioned at least a meter away from the players who are forming the wall.