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Indirect free kick

An indirect free kick is a free kick from which a goal can only be scored if another player of either team touches the ball after it is kicked; the referee signals it with a raised arm.

Why this wins its question: Binds the glossary definition plus the two operational details (signal, goal-kick outcome) that answers usually omit, to the 2026/27 texts.

Claims

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  1. An indirect free kick is a free kick from which a goal can only be scored if another player, of either team, touches the ball after it has been kicked.

    confidence 0.96Glossary — Football Terms (Laws of the Game 2026/27) · primary

  2. If an indirect free kick enters the opponents' goal without touching another player, the restart is a goal kick; the referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising an arm above the head until the kick is taken and the ball touches another player or goes out of play.

    confidence 0.95Law 13 — Free Kicks (Laws of the Game 2026/27) · primary

  3. Typical indirect free kick offences include offside, playing in a dangerous manner, impeding without contact, and goalkeeper handling offences such as the back-pass rule.

    confidence 0.93Law 11 — Offside (Laws of the Game 2026/27) · primaryLaw 12 — Fouls and Misconduct (Laws of the Game 2026/27) · primary