The rational for not letting a team take a quick free kick is that often defending players aren't ready. Sometimes when there is a stoppage, players take a momentary mental break, and even though a defender is within arms distance of an attacking player, the defender lets the attacking player jog goalside and in one instance, the defender is beaten... before the kick is even taken.
Additionally, Goalies often go to the near post to set up a wall... if the kick is taken then, the goal is ungaurded.
Therefore, defending players often stand infront of the free kick, or get back 7 or 8 yards and make the kicking team ask for ten. At this point referee stops the game and backs the wall up ten yards... then the kick can't be taken until a whistle restarts the action. The rational for the defending team is to make sure everyone is ready when the kick is taken
