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Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


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Question Number: 34248

Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play 6/19/2021

RE: competive Adult

Shaun of Melbourne, Quensland Australia asks...

Based on laws of the game 20/21:   
For every kick-off: # all players, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the field of play # the opponents of the team taking the kick-off must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play
Does that mean all players, except the player taking the kick off, must be outside the centre circle? 
or the kick-off team's players, can be inside the semicircle?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Shaun,
no, his teammates are fine to be within 10 yards but only the ONE player actually kicking the ball can even be a bit inside the opposition half as the ball can now be played backward to begin the game. In essence, he has to be able to reach the ball to kick it! His/her entire team including the keeper (not that is a good idea mind you) could legally be inside the D section of their half of the center circle, whereas the opposition could not! The opposition team must be 10 yds away on the outer edges of their D section, respecting the distance just as in all free kicks except on those special circumstance INDFKs inside the PA that occur closer, between 10 and 6 yds away to the goal line and goal area where the opposition can stand on the goal line, under the crossbar, between the posts!
Cheers




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Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Shaun
The centre circle is simply there to help facilitate opponents remaining 10 yards from that restart - same as any free kick.
The team taking the kick can put all 11 players inside the circle if they want.



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Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Shaun,
The law, as you have correctly quoted it, clearly says that only the opponents must be 9.15 m away from the ball. The team mates of the kick taker can be as close as they like, so long as they are in their own half of the field.



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Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Shaun
When the Law was changed to allow the kick off to be kicked backwards there was an anomaly in the Law in that per the old law both teams had to be in their own half and the opponents had to be ten yards from the ball. At that time the traditional kick off was for two players to be stood in the centre circle in their own half and a tap forward to retain possession.

Under the amended Law for a player to kick the ball backwards he would have to be in the opponent’s half hence the current amended wording. So opponents must still be outside the centre circle that is 10 yards from the ball and all players other than the kicker are in their own half. The kicking team can have any number of players inside the circle in their own half of course.

Any breach of this part of the law that is encroaching by the opponents inside the circle is a retake. If it is doubtful or trifling which most are then play simply continues.




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