Direct and indirect free kicks: what's the difference?

An ordinary indirect routine uses two players: one rolls the ball so it clearly moves, then an onside team-mate shoots. If the shot goes into the goal with no other offence, the goal counts. The first player puts the ball in play; the second player's touch meets the indirect requirement.

The other player's touch can be a deflection off an opponent, including the goalkeeper. It does not have to be a deliberate pass or shot. A post or crossbar is not a player, so a rebound off the frame alone does not make an indirect free kick a valid goal.

On either type of free kick, the taker must wait for another player's touch before playing the ball again. Two kicks by the same player do not meet the indirect requirement: once the first kick has put the ball in play, the second gives the opponents an indirect free kick. A handball offence is a separate case and can lead to a direct free kick or penalty; if the taker is a goalkeeper who handles again inside their own penalty area, the restart is indirect.

Neither type can score straight into the taker's own goal: without another player's touch, the opponents get a corner. In the own-keeper example, a lawful touch with the keeper's foot changes the result to a goal for the opponents.

Direct-free-kick offences include careless trips or pushes, holding an opponent and handball offences by an outfield player. Direct describes whether a goal can be scored straight from the kick; the taker is still allowed to pass.

Indirect-free-kick offences include offside, dangerous play without contact, impeding without contact and specified goalkeeper handling offences. A high boot alone is not a complete ruling: the danger, contact and other circumstances affect the decision.

The card is a separate disciplinary decision. A careless trip can give a direct free kick without a card; a reckless challenge also brings a yellow card. Identify the offence and the referee's signal rather than using the card to work out the restart.

A direct-free-kick offence committed by a player inside their own penalty area while the ball is in play gives a penalty. An indirect-free-kick offence there still gives an indirect free kick. The type of offence matters as well as its location.

One example is a goalkeeper picking up a ball deliberately kicked to them by a team-mate. Receiving the same pass with the feet is allowed. The back-pass guide explains the handling test, including the exception for a clear failed attempt to kick the ball into play.

For that handling offence, the kick is taken where the keeper touches the ball with a hand or arm. If the spot is inside the small goal area, the attacking indirect free kick moves to the nearest point on the goal-area line parallel to the goal line. The larger penalty area and the goal area have different boundaries.

The raised arm identifies an indirect free kick. After the kick, the referee keeps the arm raised until another player touches the ball, it leaves play or a direct goal is no longer possible. If the referee forgets the signal and the untouched ball goes into the opponents' goal, the kick is retaken.

A keeper's touch does not settle a missing-signal dispute. IFAB also describes a retake where the absent signal prompted the keeper to attempt a save and touch the ball before it went in. The tool above assumes the correct signal for every example.

Opponents must stay at least 9.15 m (10 yards) from the ball until it is in play, except those on their own goal line between the posts. When a defending wall has three or more players, attackers must stay at least 1 m (1 yard) from it until the ball is in play. Opponents must also be outside the penalty area when the defending team takes a free kick there.

Yes. Neither direct nor indirect free kicks have an offside exemption. A team-mate's position when the ball is played and their later involvement can still matter. The direct-receipt exemptions apply to goal kicks, throw-ins and corners.

Another player's touch meets the indirect-kick scoring requirement. Offside and other offences must still be assessed. Use the offside guide for the position and involvement tests.

Establish the free-kick award and signal, then who touched the ball and which goal it entered. A recorded goal or foul may omit those details; the scorer's name alone does not identify a small earlier touch.

These fictional examples were checked against the 2026/27 IFAB Laws on 24 October 2026. Use Match XI's results for the recorded match context. For a disputed restart, seek the official decision and footage that establishes the relevant touches. A missing touch description remains unknown information.