Referees - free kicks 10 yards please

[The real thing]

This is not about having a go at referees but just a observation that not many of them seem to know how far 10 yards is when a free kick is awarded. It's not 10 small steps which is about 7 or 8 yards, it's 10 big steps (depending on the referee's height of course). I've seen the same thing happen in the top leagues as well.

[The General]

This is not about having a go at referees but just a observation that not many of them seem to know how far 10 yards is when a free kick is awarded. It's not 10 small steps which is about 7 or 8 yards, it's 10 big steps (depending on the referee's height of course). I've seen the same thing happen in the top leagues as well.

I definitely agree here, what is even more surprising when players query it, are totally ignored. The classic ones are the frees on the edge of the penalty area, and the wall is near the penalty spot ? which is only about 6m away ?
Lot of refs and players forget that the arc on the penalty box, is 10yds from the penalty spot ?

[WayneO]

Ref's should carry measuring tape with them at games, in future...

[Caretaker Coach]

Or utilise some of the markings on the field if near the penalty box. The ones that make me laugh, when the refs position the wall then he turns his back on the wall they all move a step forward.

[swannsong]

Could use a GPS fitted device ?

[Electrafixion]

Or utilise some of the markings on the field if near the penalty box. The ones that make me laugh, when the refs position the wall then he turns his back on the wall they all move a step forward.

The referee should be walking backwards to ensure it doesn't happen.

[Rob Lozza]

Some common sense suggestions in this thread. You may be surprised to know, however, that Refs are instructed to do most if these things. For example, use field markings to estimate 10 yards. Of course, many are klutzes.

[Hatchet Squad]

Last year we won a free kick and I asked the ref to move the defenders back to 10 yards, he then picked up the ball and moved the ball back about 3 yards. Completely laughable

[Fatty In A Nappy]

Not if the ball wasn't placed on the right spot in the first place.

[Hatchet Squad]

Not if the ball wasn't placed on the right spot in the first place.

The ball was placed in the right position. The ref was an idiot

[The General]

Or utilise some of the markings on the field if near the penalty box. The ones that make me laugh, when the refs position the wall then he turns his back on the wall they all move a step forward.

The referee should be walking backwards to ensure it doesn't happen.

Twice during the recent France / Aust game the ref turned his back and the wall took a small step forward - the Ref's Asssist should pick up things like this too.

[Old Redback]

Or utilise some of the markings on the field if near the penalty box. The ones that make me laugh, when the refs position the wall then he turns his back on the wall they all move a step forward.

The referee should be walking backwards to ensure it doesn't happen.

Twice during the recent France / Aust game the ref turned his back and the wall took a small step forward - the Ref's Asssist should pick up things like this too.

Is that why Australia got belted?

[Con M]

Simples. The FIFA Confederations of South, Central & North America are using disappearing spray where the ref marks the spot where the ball goes, paces out 10 yards (9.15m), sprays a short line there and if the wall encroaches, starts booking players. No ifs or buts, no arguments, no creeping, - a quick easy solution. That vanishing spray disappears fairly quickly after the free-kick is taken so there aren't marks all over the ground near/in the penalty areas.

(Some forumites might have noticed there are small permanent marks 10 yards (9.15m) from the corner flags to keep defenders that distance when corners are taken. This is where this principle of the temp mark was taken from).

IMO might even be approved for next year's World Cup seeing it's held in the Americas where they accept it as a matter of course. IFAB might even approve it World-wide at it's March 2014 A.G.M.

Now, Bill B. and his SAASL have got a fair bit of dough in the kitty, so why not show up the FFSA and purchase these little cans of inexpensive disappearing spray for each ref to carry on his waist band?

[ExtraTime]

Simples. The FIFA Confederations of South, Central & North America are using disappearing spray where the ref marks the spot where the ball goes, paces out 10 yards (9.15m), sprays a short line there and if the wall encroaches, starts booking players. No ifs or buts, no arguments, no creeping, - a quick easy solution. That vanishing spray disappears fairly quickly after the free-kick is taken so there aren't marks all over the ground near/in the penalty areas.

(Some forumites might have noticed there are small permanent marks 10 yards (9.15m) from the corner flags to keep defenders that distance when corners are taken. This is where this principle of the temp mark was taken from).

IMO might even be approved for next year's World Cup seeing it's held in the Americas where they accept it as a matter of course. IFAB might even approve it World-wide at it's March 2014 A.G.M.

Now, Bill B. and his SAASL have got a fair bit of dough in the kitty, so why not show up the FFSA and purchase these little cans of inexpensive disappearing spray for each ref to carry on his waist band?

Could they also carry a of pepper spray ... if any player is threatening a ref .. the ref can use that too

[Con M]

Simples. The FIFA Confederations of South, Central & North America are using disappearing spray where the ref marks the spot where the ball goes, paces out 10 yards (9.15m), sprays a short line there and if the wall encroaches, starts booking players. No ifs or buts, no arguments, no creeping, - a quick easy solution. That vanishing spray disappears fairly quickly after the free-kick is taken so there aren't marks all over the ground near/in the penalty areas.

(Some forumites might have noticed there are small permanent marks 10 yards (9.15m) from the corner flags to keep defenders that distance when corners are taken. This is where this principle of the temp mark was taken from).

IMO might even be approved for next year's World Cup seeing it's held in the Americas where they accept it as a matter of course. IFAB might even approve it World-wide at it's March 2014 A.G.M.

Now, Bill B. and his SAASL have got a fair bit of dough in the kitty, so why not show up the FFSA and purchase these little cans of inexpensive disappearing spray for each ref to carry on his waist band?

Could they also carry a of pepper spray ... if any player is threatening a ref .. the ref can use that too

Good one, bloodypassit.

But seriously, seeing it's been so successful in the Americas to stop this totally annoying encroaching, what do you think of adopting it here before IFAB decree it for World-wide use anyway next March?