When the ref blows the whistle for a foul or misconduct, it helps the kicker to know if they can shoot straight at goal.
Direct free-kicks are the most dangerous for defences
So when is a free-kick direct or indirect?
Here are 10 offences that can lead to a direct free-kick.
When a player:
Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
Jumps at an opponent
Charges an opponent
Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
Pushes an opponent
Makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball when tackling
Holds an opponent
Spits at an opponent
Handles the ball deliberately
If any of these offences are committed by a player inside their own penalty area then it's a penalty.
Did you know that if a team kicks a direct or indirect free-kick directly into its own goal, then a corner is awarded to the opposition?
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