THE GAME
Law 8: The start and restart of play
Definition of a kick-off
A kick-off is a way of starting or
restarting play:
* at the start of the match
* after a goal has been scored
* at the start of the second half of the match
* at the start of each period of extra time,
where applicable.
A goal may be scored directly from the
kick-off.
Procedure
Before a kick-off at the start of the
match or extra time
* a coin is tossed and the team that wins the
toss decides which goal it will attack in the
first half of the match or extra time
* The other team takes the kick-off to start the
match or the extra time
* the team that wins the toss takes the kickoff
to start the second half of the match
* in the second half of the match or extra
time, the teams change ends and attack the
opposite goals.
Kick-off
* after a team scores a goal, the kick-off
is taken by the other team
* all players must be in their own half of the
field of play
* the opponents of the team taking the kickoff
are at least 9.15m (10 yds) from the
ball until it is in play
* the ball must be stationary on the center
mark
* the referee gives a signal
* the ball is in play when it is kicked and
moves forward
* the kicker must not touch the ball again
until it has touched another player.
Infringements/Sanctions
If the player taking the kick-off touches
the ball again before it has touched
another player:
* an indirect free kick is awarded to
the opposing team to be taken from the
position of the ball when the infringement
occurred (see Law 13 - Position of
Free Kick).
In the event of any other infringement of
the kick-off procedure:
* the kick-off is retaken.