Question Number: 17149

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 10/7/2007

RE: Select Under 11

Ron McLeod of Menlo Park, ca USA asks...

On a kick-of, can the defender start to move forward in an effort to steal the ball on whistle blow, or does she need to wait until the team kicking off moves the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Of course not! The ball is in play when it is kicked and moved forward, until that time opponents MUST remain in their own half and at least ten yards from the ball. If they rush in before the ball is in play they face a caution for failing to respect the required distance at the taking of a free kick.

Regards,

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Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Really, Ron. Leave the coaching to the coach. An opponent cannot steal the ball on a restart for the other team - that is not fair play, nor is it allowed under the Laws of the Game. The defenders are not allowed within 10 yards of the ball until AFTER it is kicked into play by their opponents.

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Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Players may begin their forward motion - they don't have to be stationary. But as my colleagues have noted, they must remain at least 10 yards from the ball and in their own half of the field until the ball is kicked.

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