Question Number: 13615

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 8/30/2006

RE: Rec Under 10

Jon Syner of Belle, WV United States asks...

When the other team kicks off can the forwards touch the ball if they are behind the center line? How far behind the center line can the forwards go and still touch the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Not sure I get the question. On a kick off the team taking the kick can have as many players as they want in the center circle provided they are on their defending half of the field. All opponents must be outside center circle and on their defending half of field until ball is kicked. Ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

At a kick-off all players must be in their own half of the field. Players opposing the kick-off must be at least 10 yards from the ball, too. Once the ball is kicked and moves forward it is in play and all players, save the kicker, may play it. The kicker must wait until another player has touched the ball before he can touch it a second time.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The kick off takes place on the center line. All players on the kicking team must be in their half of the field. The ball is in play once it is kicked and moved FORWARDS. No other player may touch the ball until it is in play. The opposing players must also be in their half of the field and also at least 10 yards from the ball until it is in play. The forwards you refer to may be anywhere on the field after the ball is in play and touch it. There are no restrictions