Question Number: 14827

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 2/11/2007

RE: u 8 league Under 9

RANDY of st pete, fla usa asks...

recently a team we played kicked off. he kicked towards the goal. No-one touched the ball it went in the net. is this a goal. I understood that a player other the player kicking the ball on the same team had to touch the ball to count the goal. are my beliefs corect? or can they kick off and score from center without anyone touching it? please remember this is a u8 league.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Sign that kicker up for the NFL! Any DFK restart can be scored a direct goal, however, aside from the penal fouls a corner kick, a goal kick and a kick off all can score directly against an opponent!
It is a goal!
UNLESS!
I will note however that often in u-8 0r little one leagues a perversion of the laws where no DFKs are permitted as all kicks are considered INDIRECT which do require a secondary touch by another player other than the kicker. In my opinion this adaptation is not neccessary nor is it mandated as acceptable by FIFA but could be the rule of law in your area. Check the league protocalls and the American youth soccer association to confirm the requirements ! Cheers

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No Randt. Law 8 is very clear " A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off." The kick-off is NOT an Indirect kick. If your local league has a rule that ALL kick are Indirect then NO goal may be scored directly from any kick.

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Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes it is. This changed a few years ago.

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