It was awarded to punish illegal handling of the ball, and did not allow a goal to be scored directly.[84] The 1872 laws neglected to define exactly how a free kick should be taken; this omission was made up in 1873, when it was specified that the ball must be on the ground, with opponents at least six yards (5.5 m) from the ball, unless behind their own goal-line.[85] These restrictions were proposed by Clapton Pilgrims, and amended by Francis Marindin of Royal Engineers FC.