Free kick rules: direct and indirect

There are two kinds of free kick, and the difference decides whether a shot straight into the net counts. Here's which offences give which, how to tell them apart on the pitch, and the rules on the wall that most people never knew.

By Squadcard. Last updated 23 October 2026.

In short

A direct free kick can go straight in; an indirect one must touch another player first.
Direct free kicks are for contact fouls, like kicking, tripping, pushing or holding, and for handball.
Indirect free kicks are for things like dangerous play, blocking without contact, offside and goalkeeper offences.
The referee raises an arm above their head for an indirect free kick and keeps it there until the ball touches someone.
Opponents must be 9.15 metres (10 yards) away, and attackers must stay 1 metre (1 yard) from a wall of three or more.

Direct or indirect: which foul gives which

Direct: charging, jumping at, kicking, pushing, striking, tackling or tripping an opponent carelessly, recklessly or with excessive force; holding; impeding with contact; handball; biting or spitting; throwing something at the ball, an opponent or an official. A direct free kick in the defenders' own penalty area is a penalty.
Indirect: playing in a dangerous manner, blocking an opponent without contact, dissent and offensive words, offside, and goalkeeper offences such as handling a back pass or handling the ball again after releasing it.

How to tell, and when a goal counts

For an indirect free kick the referee raises one arm above their head and keeps it up until the ball touches another player or goes out of play. If they forget, and the kick goes straight in, it's retaken.

Direct free kick straight into the opponents' goal: goal.
Indirect free kick straight into the opponents' goal: goal kick, no goal.
Either kind straight into your own goal: corner to the other team.

Taking it: distance, the wall and quick free kicks

The ball must be still, normally where the offence happened. You can lift it with one or both feet, and feinting is allowed.
Opponents must be at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) away until it's in play, unless they're on their own goal line between the posts.
When the defenders make a wall of three or more, attackers must stay at least 1 metre (1 yard) away from it. Standing in the wall is an indirect free kick to the defenders.
A quick free kick is allowed; if an opponent nearby intercepts it, play goes on.
The taker can't touch the ball again until someone else has: that's an indirect free kick the other way.
An indirect free kick for an offence inside the defenders' goal area is taken from the goal area line, which is why defenders line up on the goal line.

Free kicks in 5-a-side and friends' games

Small-sided leagues often make every free kick direct, and many friends' games just agree "no walls" and a set distance. Write it down with the rest of your 5-a-side rules or 7-a-side rules, along with yellow and red cards if you use them.

Yellow and red card rules

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Questions

What is the difference between a direct and an indirect free kick?

You can score straight from a direct free kick. An indirect free kick has to touch another player, from either team, before a goal can count.

How do you know if a free kick is indirect?

The referee raises one arm straight above their head and keeps it there until the ball touches another player or goes out of play.

What happens if an indirect free kick goes straight in?

Into the opponents' goal it's a goal kick, not a goal. If the referee forgot to signal, the kick is retaken.

How far does the wall have to be?

At least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball. Attackers must stay at least 1 metre (1 yard) from a wall of three or more defenders.

What gives an indirect free kick?

Dangerous play, blocking an opponent without contact, dissent, offside, and goalkeeper offences such as handling a back pass.