How many yards must defenders be back on most free kicks?

The standard requirement for defenders to be away from the ball during a free kick in soccer is set at 10 yards. This distance is in place to ensure that the attacking team has a fair chance to execute the free kick effectively, allowing for an opportunity to create a scoring chance without immediate interference from defenders.

Having defenders stand 10 yards away helps to maintain an equilibrium in play, supporting the attacking team's ability to initiate an attack while still giving the defensive team a chance to organize itself. This rule applies to free kicks taken outside of the penalty area as well as those awarded for fouls within the said boundaries of the field.

Other options, while they may represent different contexts, do not align with this official rule for most free kicks under the Laws of the Game, which mandates the 10-yard distance for effective gameplay.