Question Number: 15076

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 3/29/2007

RE: Travel Under 12

Ramon Janeiro of wilimington, DE usa asks...

On the coin toss at the beginning of the game, which team makes the call, home or away? Does the winner get ball in the first half and the other team pick what side to defend?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ramon,
at the start of the match it is the away team that calls the flip as a matter of tradition but the referee could well ask either team. Some referees even allow the team not picking to actually flip the coin. The winner of the flip chooses which side to defend the other kicks off. The teams simply switch sides and possession in the second as this coin toss is the only choice made!
Only if the game goes into a shoot out is the coin flip used again.
In rare cases a coin flip decides a winner! Canada got through in the Gold Cup a few years back on just such a flip! Cheers

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No rule on this but every referee I know lets the away team call the toss. The winner gets to choose which goal to attack. The loser takes the kick.

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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Why the away side has first choice in the toss is left to history and tradition, suffice to say they do.

Regards,

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