The referee's raised arm changes what the kick can score.

How to judge the restart

1. Identify whether the offence creates a direct or indirect free kick.
2. Watch the referee's signal. For an indirect free kick, the referee raises an arm above the head.
3. Check that the ball is stationary and taken from the correct place, unless the law gives a special location.
4. Make sure opponents respect the required distance unless a quick free kick is allowed.
5. If the ball enters a goal, decide whether another player touched it first and which goal it entered.

A direct kick can score by itself

Direct free kicks are awarded for many contact and handball offences. If the kicker sends the ball directly into the opponents' goal, the goal counts. If the ball is kicked directly into the kicker's own goal, the restart is a corner kick to the opponents.

The raised arm means another touch is needed

For an indirect free kick, the referee keeps an arm raised until the ball touches another player, goes out of play, or it is clear a direct goal cannot be scored. If the referee forgets the indirect signal and the ball goes directly into the goal, the kick must be retaken.

Why indirect free kicks are awarded

Indirect free kicks often come from technical offences, goalkeeper handling restrictions, offside, dangerous play without contact, impeding without contact, and some restart or misconduct situations. The exact offence matters because some similar-looking plays produce direct free kicks instead.

The defense does not always get time to set

A team may take a quick free kick if the referee allows it and the ball is properly placed. Opponents who are too close can still be punished if they deliberately interfere, but the attacking team also accepts the risk of taking the kick before defenders have retreated.

Misunderstandings to avoid

• "The arm up means offside" is incomplete. Offside restarts are indirect, but many other offences are indirect too.
• "An indirect kick can never lead to a goal" is wrong. It can score after another player touches the ball.
• "A direct kick into your own goal counts as an own goal" is wrong. The restart is a corner kick.
• "The wall always gets ten yards before play can restart" is too broad. Quick free kicks can restart before the defense is fully set.

Source material

• IFAB Law 13 - Free Kicks
• IFAB Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct
• IFAB Law 11 - Offside