Most brake and clutch pedals should have just a little bit of free play, usually about a centimeter, which is less than half an inch. If you feel that your free play is more generous than this, or that you don't have any at all, you'll need to adjust your pedals.
This specifically happens when the parts are hot and expanded fully, or when you rest your foot on the pedal. Apart from wearing out the release bearing, the clutch fork, or the pivot, it can also cause leaks from the master and slave cylinders.