Free kick

A free kick is a method of restarting play after a foul or other violation in several sports, including association football (also known as soccer), American football, rugby, Australian rules football, and Gaelic football. In association football, it is awarded to the opposing team to the offender (a player, substitute, or team official) when the offence is punishable by such a restart, as defined in Law 13 of the Laws of the Game.^[1] There are two primary types in association football: the direct free kick, from which a goal can be scored directly if the ball enters the opponents' goal without touching another player, and the indirect free kick, which requires the ball to touch another player before a goal can be scored (a direct entry results in a goal kick for the defending team). The referee signals an indirect free kick by raising an arm overhead until the ball touches another player or goes out of play.^[1] Free kicks are important for the game's strategy, especially direct free kicks which offer scoring opportunities from distance, and their rules vary by sport as detailed in later sections.^[1]

Association football

Direct free kicks

A direct free kick is awarded in association football when a player commits certain fouls or offenses against an opponent, typically involving physical contact or deliberate handling of the ball. These include charging, jumping at, kicking or attempting to kick, pushing, striking or attempting to strike, tackling or challenging carelessly or with excessive force, tripping or attempting to trip, holding an opponent, impeding an opponent with contact, and deliberately handling the ball (deliberate handball), provided the offense occurs outside the penalty area. Such fouls are considered careless, reckless, or involving excessive force, as determined by the referee, and result in a direct free kick to the opposing team from the location of the offense.^[2] From a direct free kick, a goal can be scored directly if the ball enters the opponent's goal without being touched by another player after the kick, counting as a valid goal for the kicking team. If the ball is propelled into the goal by the kicker's hand, arm, or via a deflection off the kicker's hand or arm (including by the goalkeeper), the goal is disallowed, and an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team. This direct scoring potential distinguishes it from an indirect free kick, where a goal cannot be scored directly by the kicker.^[1] Opposing players must remain at least 9.15 meters (10 yards) from the ball until it is in play, meaning until it has been touched by the kicker and moves its full circumference; failure to do so can result in a retake or caution. Defending teams often form a human wall with three or more players to obstruct the shot, positioned between the ball and the goal, while attacking players must stay at least 1 meter (1 yard) from this wall. The ball must be stationary when kicked, and the kicker cannot touch it again until another player has done so.^[1] Direct free kicks have been part of association football since the sport's early codification, with the concept formalized by the Football Association (FA) in 1872 as a restart for handling offenses, evolving into the modern direct variant for more serious infringements. A notable historical example is Roberto Carlos's iconic 35-meter "banana shot" direct free kick for Brazil against France in the 1997 Tournoi de France, where the ball dramatically curved around the defensive wall before entering the goal, demonstrating the physics-defying potential of such kicks.^[3][4] Tactically, direct free kicks serve as key set pieces, often exploited for scoring through techniques like the curved shot (bending around the wall using spin, as in Roberto Carlos's strike), the driven low shot (powerful and hard to stop at close range), or the chipped lofted ball (arcing over the wall to drop under the crossbar). These approaches aim to exploit gaps in the wall or goalkeeper positioning, with teams analyzing opponent defenses to select the optimal method, though modern trends show declining direct goals due to improved walls and keeper training.^[5][6]

Indirect free kicks

An indirect free kick in association football is awarded against a team for specific technical or procedural offences that are considered less severe than those warranting a direct free kick, allowing the opposing team a restart without the immediate threat of a goal from the kick itself. These offences include an attacking player being in an offside position at the moment the ball is played by a teammate, as defined in Law 11 of the IFAB Laws of the Game.^[7] Other common triggers encompass playing in a dangerous manner without making contact with an opponent, such as high kicks endangering nearby players, and impeding the progress of an opponent without physical contact, like deliberately blocking a quick restart by standing in the path of the ball.^[8] Goalkeeper-specific violations also result in an indirect free kick, including handling the ball after deliberately releasing it from the hands before another player touches it, or using hands to control a deliberate back-pass from a teammate or a direct throw-in by a teammate. A key distinguishing feature of indirect free kicks is the restriction on scoring: a goal cannot be scored directly from the kick, and the ball must first touch or be played by another player—of either team—before entering the opponents' goal; if kicked directly into the goal, a goal kick is awarded to the defending team instead.^[1] This "two-touch" rule contrasts with direct free kicks, where a goal can be scored immediately from the kick. To enforce this, the referee signals an indirect free kick by raising one arm vertically above the head, maintaining the signal until the ball is touched by a second player, goes out of play, or it is evident that no direct goal can be scored.^[1] Tactically, indirect free kicks are typically employed to maintain possession and build attacks methodically rather than attempting speculative shots, often through short passes to a nearby teammate in midfield or attacking areas to evade defensive pressure.^[9] They frequently occur in central zones, providing opportunities to reset play and exploit numerical advantages without risking loss of possession on a long clearance. Notable examples include scenarios where a defender impedes a quick indirect free kick by positioning themselves to obstruct the kicker without contact, resulting in another indirect free kick to the attacking team, or historical cases of goalkeepers handling the ball beyond the permitted time before the 2025/26 rule change that shifted such time-wasting to a corner kick award.^[8][10]

Procedure and laws

In association football, a free kick is executed with the ball stationary at the location of the offence (or a designated spot as specified in the laws). The player taking the kick must not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player, and the ball is considered in play once it has been kicked and clearly moves in any direction.^[1] Opponents are required to remain at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball until it is in play, unless they are positioned on their own goal line between the goalposts when the kick is taken from that area. Attacking players must stay at least 1 metre from any defensive wall formed by three or more opponents. If a direct free kick offence occurs inside the defending team's penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded instead of a free kick. Encroachment by opponents before the ball is in play results in a retake of the free kick (unless the non-offending team benefits from the play continuing), while deliberate interference warrants a caution (yellow card); if an attacking player encroaches within 1 metre of the wall, an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team.^[1] For free kicks taken from within the penalty area, opponents may remain inside the area if they had no time to move to the required distance, but any challenge or touch of the ball before it is in play leads to a retake. Delaying the restart of play, such as by the kicker or team, incurs a caution. Quick free kicks are permitted provided opponents are correctly positioned and the referee has not indicated otherwise, allowing for tactical advantage without a whistle to authorize the restart in most cases. There is no offside offence for players involved in a free kick or its immediate aftermath.^[1] The 2025/26 edition of the IFAB Laws of the Game includes clarifications on handling offences that affect free kick awards, particularly for goalkeepers: holding the ball for more than eight seconds now results in a corner kick to the opposing team rather than an indirect free kick, with referees using a visible five-second countdown in the final moments. These updates aim to reduce time-wasting while maintaining the procedural integrity of free kicks.^[11]

Gridiron football

In American football

In American football, a free kick is a type of kick that initiates play without a snap from center, occurring in designated restart situations outside the standard scrimmage formation. These include kickoffs to begin halves or following scores, free kicks after a safety, and fair catch kicks after a valid fair catch on a punt. Unlike scrimmage kicks such as punts, free kicks allow the receiving team to return the ball immediately once it travels 10 yards or is touched by an opponent, promoting dynamic play while adhering to specific formation and positioning rules.^[12] Kickoffs, the most common free kick, traditionally originate from the kicking team's 35-yard line using a place kick or drop kick, with the receiving team aligned no closer than 10 yards away. In the NFL, the 2024 introduction of the dynamic kickoff format—made permanent for 2025—restructures player alignments to enhance safety and return rates: the kicker operates from the kicking team's 35-yard line, with the other 10 kicking team players aligned with their front foot on the receiving team's 40-yard line; the receiving team aligns at least 9 players in the setup zone between their 30- and 35-yard lines (with at least 6 on the 35-yard line) and up to 2 returners in the landing zone between the goal line and their 20-yard line. If the kick enters the end zone or fails to reach the 35-yard line on a return, it results in a touchback at the 35-yard line; onside kicks remain available but must be declared beforehand, allowing recovery attempts closer to the line of scrimmage. After a safety, the offending team executes a free kick from its own 20-yard line, opting for a punt, drop kick, or place kick; the ball becomes live after traveling 10 yards or being touched by the receiving team, providing an opportunity to regain field position.^[13][12] The fair catch kick offers a rare scoring chance following a fair catch signal on a punt, where the receiving team may attempt a field goal from the spot of the catch without a snap; the defense must retreat 10 yards, and success awards three points, but no other plays are permitted on that down. This rule, though infrequently used due to the need for a fair catch within field goal range, underscores strategic end-of-half decisions. In NCAA football, free kicks follow similar procedures but permit the use of a tee up to two inches high for kickoffs, facilitating consistent execution. A 2025 NCAA rule change imposes stricter definitions on scrimmage kick formations—requiring the potential kicker to be at least 10 yards behind the neutral zone and no non-kicker/holder within the snapper's frame—to curb deceptive blocking schemes and ensure fair play.^[12][14][15]

In Canadian football

In Canadian football, free kicks primarily occur as kickoffs at the start of halves or after scores, as well as following a safety touch, with procedures adapted to the league's 110-yard field length, which is 10 yards longer than in American football. These kicks must be executed as place kicks, using a tee up to 3 inches high, emphasizing precision due to the wider 65-yard field and deeper end zones. Unlike standard scrimmage kicks, free kicks allow the receiving team a protected zone under the "no yards" rule, where players from the kicking team cannot advance within five yards of the spot where a receiver gains possession until the ball is touched or secured.^[16] Following a safety touch, which awards two points to the scoring team, the team that scored the safety—typically the defense—gains unique restart options to capitalize on momentum: they may elect to scrimmage the ball from their own 40-yard line, perform a kickoff from their own 30-yard line, or receive a kickoff from the opponent's 20-yard line. This choice allows strategic flexibility, such as opting for the free kick to attempt a rouge or onside recovery, contrasting with American football's mandatory free kick from the 20-yard line by the team that conceded the safety. The free kick in this scenario must travel at least 10 yards before the kicking team can recover it, unless first touched by the receiving team.^[16] A key feature of Canadian free kicks is the potential for a rouge, or single point, awarded if the ball enters the opponent's end zone and becomes dead there without being returned to the field of play, such as on a touchback. This occurs commonly on missed field goal attempts or conservative punts from free kick formations, where the ball crosses into the goal area untouched or unrecovered by the receiving team. If the receiving team concedes the rouge by not advancing the ball out, the kicking team gains one point, and the receiving team scrimmages from their own 35-yard line; otherwise, a successful return negates the point. This scoring mechanism incentivizes tactical decisions, like short free kicks aimed at the end zone to force a rouge rather than risking a long return.^[16] Canadian football lacks a direct equivalent to the American fair catch free kick, where a receiver can opt for an uncontested kick after securing a catch. Instead, the no-yards rule provides similar protection during free kicks and punts, prohibiting interference within the five-yard buffer, with penalties of five or 15 yards applied based on the infraction's severity. On certain plays, such as after a no-yards violation, the receiving team may choose to punt or attempt a place kick from the spot of the foul, offering a controlled restart option without the full fair catch designation.^[16] No major procedural changes to free kicks were implemented between 2023 and 2025, though the CFL's 110-yard field continues to influence kick distances and strategies, with average free kick returns often exceeding 20 yards due to the open space. Tactically, the emphasis on rouges—accounting for up to 10% of total points in some seasons—makes conservative free kicks viable, as teams frequently aim for the end zone to secure the single point rather than attempting high-risk onside recoveries.^[16]

Australian rules football

Awarding free kicks

In Australian rules football, free kicks are awarded by the field umpire to a player or team for various infringements that disrupt fair play, protect players, and reward legal actions. These include prohibited contact such as pushing in the back, high tackles, holding or bumping opponents illegally, tripping, kicking, or striking; issues in ruck and marking contests like blocking or unrealistic spoiling; holding the ball when tackled without disposing correctly; rough conduct including dangerous tackles; interference with umpires or officials; kicking the ball out on the full; deliberate rushed behinds; and other misconduct like time-wasting or throwing the ball.^[17] The free kick is taken from the location of the infringement or the position of the ball at the time of the umpire's decision, whichever results in the greater advantage to the non-offending team (Law 18.1.2). If infringements occur simultaneously, a ball-up or throw-in is awarded instead (Law 18.1.4). The advantage rule (Law 21.2) allows play to continue if the non-offending team is immediately benefited, with the umpire signaling "play on" or "advantage" to indicate no free kick is paid at that moment.^[17] Special cases include free kicks for deliberate rushed behinds (Law 18.11), where if a defending player intentionally forces the ball over the behind line without sufficient pressure and from more than 9 meters out, the free kick is awarded from the nearest goalpost or, if over the goal line, from the center of the goal line. Free kicks can also be awarded post-scoring if an infringement occurs during the score.^[17]

Execution and variations

In Australian rules football, a free kick is executed by the awarded player kicking the ball from a position no further back than the mark, in a direct line toward the center of the opposing team's goal line, within a reasonable time to avoid time-wasting penalties.^[17] The kick must be performed using the foot below the knee, with no handpassing or throwing allowed to teammates; handballs are only permitted in general play but not for restarting from a free kick.^[17] Common techniques include the drop punt for precision over medium distances, the torpedo punt (or torp) for maximum range with end-over-end rotation, and the snap for quick, low-trajectory shots from tight angles or under pressure.^[18] The protected area surrounding the kicker extends 10 meters either side of the mark and 5 meters behind it, requiring opponents to vacate unless within 2 meters of their own player; encroachment results in a free kick to the attacking team.^[17] From the 2026 season, there will be stronger enforcement of the stand rule within the protected area: players within 5 meters of the mark or free kick must stand stationary and cannot reverse to outside the 5-meter zone, with movement penalized by a free kick to the opposing team, aiming to reduce delays and physical interference.^[19] Additionally, an 8-second limit will apply to disposing of the ball from marks and free kicks, aligning with kick-in times to expedite play.^[19] Variations occur based on position: within the goal square, the kick is taken from a spot horizontally level with the mark, often as a set shot for scoring; elsewhere, it serves as a general play restart to advance the ball.^[17] A successful kick passing untouched between the goal posts scores 6 points (a goal), while one touched in flight or crossing the behind posts scores 1 point (a behind).^[17] The 2026 rules introduce a "last disposal" variation for boundary play: if the ball goes out of bounds directly from a disposal between the 50-meter arcs, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the point of exit, replacing boundary throw-ins and estimated to add about 3.25 such free kicks per game.^[19] Tactically, free kicks frequently lead to set shots near goal, allowing forwards to attempt points, while deliberate time-wasting—such as delaying the kick—incurs a 50-meter penalty advancing the mark, or a free kick against the offender.^[17] These elements emphasize quick execution and strategic positioning to maximize territorial advantage.^[19]

Rugby union

Awarding free kicks

In rugby union, free kicks are awarded against a team for technical or less serious infringements during play, as defined in various Laws of the Game, particularly for offences that do not warrant a full penalty. Common examples include a knock-on or forward pass (Law 12), where the ball is propelled forward unintentionally; a throw-in not straight at a lineout (Law 18), allowing the non-offending team to choose a free kick or re-throw; and technical scrum faults such as wheeling or early push (Law 19). Other instances encompass intentionally knocking the ball into touch (Law 12) or late charging a kicker (Law 10).^[20][21][22] Unlike penalties, which address foul play or more deliberate breaches, free kicks aim to maintain game flow without allowing direct scoring opportunities. The free kick is taken from the mark of the infringement, or anywhere behind it on a line parallel to the touchlines, but no closer than 5 meters to the opponents' goal line.^[20]

Restart options and laws

In rugby union, a free kick restarts play following technical infringements, such as a knock-on or forward pass, and must be taken from the mark where the infringement occurred, no closer than 5 meters to the opponents' goal line.^[20] The ball must be stationary on the ground or held in the kicker's hand for a tap-kick, with the non-offending team required to retreat at least 10 meters toward their goal line or until they reach it, ensuring space for execution.^[20] Play resumes once the ball is kicked forward a visible distance or tapped and moved forward, or if it touches an opponent before traveling 10 meters; unlike general play, no advantage is played from free kicks, enforcing strict adherence to the restart.^[20] The primary options for taking a free kick are a punt (kicked from the hand while dropping), a drop kick (ball dropped and kicked as it bounces), or a place kick (ball placed on the ground, often using a tee), though a quick tap-kick—where the ball is tapped with the foot while held—is commonly used for rapid possession.^[20] A key 2024 World Rugby law amendment eliminated the option to choose a scrum instead of kicking, aiming to accelerate gameplay by preventing repeated scrum resets from technical offenses; teams must now opt for a kick or tap exclusively.^[23] Tactically, teams often tap for immediate ball retention and quick ruck formation to retain momentum, or punt for territorial gain by forcing opponents deep into their half.^[20] Unlike penalty kicks, a free kick prohibits direct scoring: no goal can be scored from the kick itself, and the awarding team cannot attempt a dropped goal until the ball becomes dead or an opponent has played or touched it with hand or arm.^[20] In lineout situations, such as a throw not straight, the awarding team may opt for a re-throw instead of kicking, providing flexibility to maintain set-piece possession.^[20]

Rugby league

Awarding free kicks

In rugby league, a free kick is awarded to the penalized team when the non-offending team's penalty kick goes directly into touch without being touched by another player. The free kick is taken 10 metres in-field from the touchline, opposite the point of entry into touch. This mechanism allows the penalized team to retain possession without the territorial loss that would otherwise occur from a successful penalty kick gaining ground.^[24]

Restart options and differences

In rugby league, a free kick is primarily awarded when a penalty kick goes directly into touch without being touched by another player, allowing the penalized team to retain possession through a 10-meter restart in-field from the point of entry into touch. The non-offending team has two main options for restarting play: a quick tap, in which the player taps the ball with their foot and immediately passes it forward to a teammate to initiate a play-the-ball, or a kick such as a punt or drop kick to advance the ball. This restart counts as the first tackle in the team's set of six possessions, with no option to select a scrum as an alternative. Opponents must retreat at least 10 meters from the mark, and the ball is in play immediately upon being tapped or kicked.^[24] While tries cannot be scored directly if the ball from an untapped free kick enters the in-goal and is grounded by a defender, points can arise from ensuing plays following the restart. Tactically, free kicks facilitate rapid momentum recovery in the game's fast-paced flow, often via quick taps to exploit defensive alignments or specialized kicks like grubber kicks to probe for gaps near the try line and box kicks to force aerial contests. Key distinctions from rugby union lie in rugby league's emphasis on seamless integration into tackle-based possession sets rather than isolated restarts for territorial advantage. In league, free kicks avoid scrum or lineout choices, prioritizing continuous play over union's structured options for technical infringements, which can include scrums or uncontested lineouts to regain field position. No substantive alterations to free kick procedures occurred between 2023 and 2025, though sin-bin trials in the NRL—such as retroactive 10-minute dismissals for high tackles resulting in head injury assessments—have impacted the awarding of related penalties that may lead to free kicks.^[25] A notable variation applies to goal-line drop-outs: as of 2025, if a defending team's drop kick from behind their goal line travels directly into touch, the attacking team receives a free kick from the centre of the goal line.^[26]

Gaelic football

Awarding free kicks

In Gaelic football, free kicks are awarded to the opposing team for a range of infringements, including overcarrying the ball by taking more than four steps without releasing, bouncing, or soloing it; technical fouls such as illegal actions like picking up the ball with two hands from the ground when not permitted; and aggressive fouls such as pushing, tripping, or holding an opponent. Free kicks are awarded for technical fouls, while aggressive fouls inside the 20-metre line (large rectangle) or any foul inside the 13-metre line (small rectangle) result in a penalty kick.^[27] These free kicks are direct and must be taken from the exact spot of the foul, setting them apart from penalty kicks—awarded for aggressive fouls inside the 20-metre line or any fouls inside the 13-metre line and taken from a designated point 11 metres from the goal—or sideline kicks, which restart play after the ball crosses the sideline.^[27] The referee indicates a free kick by blowing the whistle to halt play and raising or pointing a flag to signal the location and nature of the infringement, ensuring clarity for players and umpires. If the foul occurs within the small rectangle (inside the 13-metre line), the free kick is advanced to a point 13 metres from the end line to provide a viable scoring opportunity.^[27] For free kicks positioned outside the 20-metre line and aimed at scoring a point, all opposing players must retreat at least 13 metres from the ball until it is kicked, preventing interference and promoting fair play.^[27] Free kicks have formed a core sanction in Gaelic football since the Gaelic Athletic Association's founding in 1884, with their introduction as a penalty for rule breaches formalized in 1888, and while core positioning rules remain, significant enhancements to restarts and scoring were implemented in 2025.^[28][27]

Execution and scoring

In Gaelic football, a free kick is executed by kicking the sliotar (ball) from the point where the foul occurred, unless otherwise specified by the rules. The kicker may choose to place the ball on the ground for a stationary placed kick, which is commonly used for accuracy in scoring attempts, or drop it from the hand for a drop kick, particularly for longer distances or quicker plays. The ball must be kicked with the foot and cannot be hand-passed or thrown. All opposing players must retreat at least 13 metres from the ball before it is kicked, and quick restarts are permitted without referee consent as of 2025.^[27] The procedure for taking a free kick involves directing the ball towards the opponent's goal, with the kicker's teammates positioned to follow up if needed. Free kicks inside the small rectangle (within the 13-metre line) are taken from the 13-metre line parallel to the goal line. For technical fouls inside the large rectangle (20-metre line) but outside the small rectangle, the free is taken from the spot of the foul. Opponents must remain at least 13 metres from the ball until it travels 13 metres or is touched by another player. If the free kick by the attacking team crosses the end line without being touched by a defender, the defending team restarts with a kick-out from the goalkeeper's hand; if the defending team touches or carries the ball over their end line outside the goalposts, a 45-metre free is awarded to the attackers. If over the sideline, a kick-out from the sideline occurs at the point of crossing.^[27] Scoring from a free kick follows the standard Gaelic football system: a kick that passes under the crossbar and between the goalposts scores a goal worth three points, while one that goes over the crossbar scores one point (or two points if taken from beyond the 40-metre arc, as implemented in 2025). Unlike open play, free kicks must be taken with the foot and cannot score directly with the hands. If the kick is deemed wide, play restarts with a kick from the sideline at the nearest point.^[27][29] Variations in free kicks include the 45-metre free, awarded when the defending team plays or throws the ball over their end line outside the goalposts; this is taken from the 45-metre line directly opposite the point of exit, often used tactically to launch attacks from midfield. For frees near the goal, the 13-metre variation allows for high-percentage scoring opportunities. Tactically, placed kicks with the sliotar are favored for long-range points due to the ball's shape, enabling curved trajectories, while drop kicks suit dynamic restarts.^[27] As of 2025, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) implemented enhancements for quicker game restarts, including allowing immediate free kicks without referee permission, and introduced a two-point value for successful frees and open-play scores taken from beyond the 40-metre arc, with the option to advance the ball there for such attempts, to reward distance without fundamentally altering foundational procedures.^[29][30]