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We have seen football players score from free kicks, which can either be direct or indirect. The main difference is that on a direct free kick, the player can score by kicking the ball directly to the goal, while on an indirect free kick, the player cannot score directly.

DIRECT KICKS

A direct kick is a free kick that is taken when a player is fouled by the opponent, the free kick taker can score by kicking the ball directly to the goal. The opponent must stay at least 10 yards away from the ball until the free kick is taken, they do so by creating a wall organized by the help of the goalkeeper to block the ball once the kick is taken. The direct kicks allow the team to have an unobstructed shot during the game, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the referee must blow his whistle to signal the take of the kick.  A direct kick is given by the referee if a player commits the following offences.

• Pushes the opponent.
• Holding the opponent.  
• Tackles the opponent.
• Trips the opponent.
• Kicking the opponent.
• Jumps on the opponent.
• Deliberate handball by players except the goalkeeper within the penalty area.

The direct kick is usually taken from where the offence occurred where the kick taker can decide to shoot directly to the goal or pass the ball to his teammates.

INDIRECT KICKS

A goal can only count if the ball touches another player when an indirect kick is taken, a player cannot score directly to the opponent’s goal in an indirect kick situation. Indirect kicks are awarded by the referee due to the following offences.

• The goalkeeper receives the ball with his/her hands after it has been deliberately kicked by a teammate (back pass).
• The goalkeeper touches the ball with his/her hands after receiving it directly from a throw-in by a teammate.
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• Impedes the progress of an opponent.  
• When an opponent player prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball.
• The player plays dangerously.

The referee indicates an indirect kick by raising the arm in the air and maintains his/her air in that position until the free kick is taken. If a goal is scored in an indirect kick without touching another player then a goal kick is awarded and the goal does not count.