When is a free kick considered to be in play within one's own penalty area?

A free kick is considered to be in play when the player takes the kick. According to the Laws of the Game, a free kick is initiated when the player strikes the ball. This marks the moment the ball is in play, regardless of where it is located on the field. In the context of a free kick within one's own penalty area, the ball must be kicked and clearly moved for the action to be deemed active.

Once the kick is properly taken, the ball can then be played by other players, and they may interact with the ball as allowed by the rules of soccer. Understanding the correct moment when a free kick becomes active is crucial for both the taking team and the defending team to adhere to the rules and manage their positions accordingly.

On the other hand, the options relating to the ball crossing the penalty area or being cleared over the goal line do not apply since they describe actions that occur after the kick has been taken, thus these cannot indicate when the free kick itself is considered in play. The whistle blown signifies the start of a play, but the specific action of kicking the ball is what truly activates the free kick.