RULE 6 FREE KICKS

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SECTION 1 PROCEDURES FOR A FREE KICK

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ARTICLE 4. CATCH OR RECOVERY OF A FREE KICK.

The following applies to the catch or recovery of a free kick:

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(c) A player of the kicking team may legally touch, catch, or recover the ball if:
(1) it first touches a receiving team player; or
(2) it reaches or crosses the receiving team’s restraining line.

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SECTION 2 OTHER FREE KICK FOULS
 

ARTICLE 4. FREE KICK ILLEGALLY TOUCHED.

Item 1. Ball Reaches Restraining Line.

A player of the kicking team may not touch, catch, or recover the ball before it has reached the receiving team’s restraining line, unless it has first been touched by a receiving team player.

Penalty: For illegal touching of a free kick by the kicking team:

Loss of five yards, or the receiving team takes possession of the ball at the spot of the illegal touch.

Item 2. Player Out of Bounds.

If a kicking team player goes out of bounds during the kick, he may not touch or recover the ball beyond the receiving team’s restraining line, unless it has first been touched by a receiving team player. If a kicking team player touches the ball before re-establishing himself legally inbounds, it is a free kick out of bounds. 

Penalty: For illegal touching of a free kick by the kicking team: Loss of five yards.