To the OP, the LOTG specify a few times when you MUST blow the whistle. Issuing a card, a sub, that sort of thing. Assuming that doesn't occur, then the attacking team always has the right to the quick free kick.
There's a bit of room for common sense though. If you're standing on the spot and they've gone over to slowly retrieve the ball and send it back...well, obviously they're not looking to take it quickly so don't think too much about their right. There's no specific measure on what's 'quick'...just use your own understanding. If the attacking team hasn't taken it fairly quickly, then take over the situation.
If you've intervened in any way, then it's ceremonial. That is to say - don't pass the ball back to the kicker just because you're nearby.
If you've started walking the defenders back, then you're intervening. At this point, it's ceremonial.
In fact, if you're going to start walking the defenders back, then before you do say to the attackers 'on the whistle'. Hold your whistle up high and point to it. It will feel exaggerated, but it's necessary - because the attacker probably isn't actually listening to you.
The way you said you understand it is more or less what works. The LOTG aren't quite explicit, but that's the general scenario. But in your case, you probably should have clearly indicated beforehand that it's ceremonial, that'll be your take-away on this one
Just to clarify when and when isn’t a whistle required to restart play?
Kick off & penalty yes, free kick if you instruct the player on my whistle.
Anymore?
This one's in the Laws
Dead simple from my point of view, as a ex player, if i believe its withing reasonable shooting distance and i believe the goalkeeper will set up a wall as soon as I blow for the offence I will stand over the ball and shout to the keeper on the whistle. I've only ever had a complaint from 2 players in 4 seasons so i'm happy it works.
I'm not following this at all. If the attacking team wants to take it before the keeper sets up the wall, that's their right. A free kick is about the attacker, not the defender.
I hear ya bruva in all honesty 99.9% of the time they won’t be able to take it quickly anyway, the ball won’t be where the offence took place, players will likely be in the way or or on the deck, sum1 will stand in the path to stop the quick free kick anyway blah blah blah.
I’ve never had a team try a quick free kick in a shooting position they’d rather size it up & have a decent crack at it rather than rush.
In the unlikely event that someone does try it & the ball is in the right place players back etc then yeah gotta let it go but like I said it’s rare these days, quick free kick to shoot has gone out of fashion.
The number of times I see it a season I could probably count on one hand. And at least half of those are taken clearly from the wrong spot. Although if it went straight out then the position looked fine to me ;-)
