What is the four-second rule for free kicks, corner kicks and goal clearances?
Rule- Australia
- FIFA
- Futsal
- Laws of the Game
- All ages
- 2025/26
- Players
Restarts must be taken within four seconds, and the penalty for being late depends on the restart:
- Free kicks (direct or indirect): if not taken within four seconds, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the place where the kick was to be taken. If the team committed this offence inside its own penalty area, the indirect free kick is taken on the penalty-area line at the point nearest to the offence.
- Corner kick: if not taken within four seconds (or not from the corner area), a goal clearance is awarded to the opposing team.
- Goal clearance: if not taken within four seconds, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
- Direct free kick from the sixth accumulated foul: once the referees signal, the kick must be taken within four seconds, or an indirect free kick goes to the opposing team.
For corner kicks, goal clearances and kick-ins, the four seconds run from the team being ready to put the ball into play or the referee signalling that the team is ready. The kick-in penalty is in the previous question.
Updated 24 Oct 2026