Question Number: 18630

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 3/27/2008

RE: Amateur Competitive Adult

Josh K of Singapore, Singapore Singapore asks...

Hey there referee,

I've got two questions for you:

1) When a ref tosses the coin before the start of the game, does the winner get to choose kick-off or side to start? In the event the winner chooses the other side of the pitch, does this mean the opposition gets to kick-off first?

2) Can a defender use his thigh to pass a ball back to his keeper to pick up?

Thanks for your time.

Yours sincerely,
Joshua Kho

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The winner of the coin toss decides which goal they want to attack. The loser takes the kick. If a teammate of the keeper passes the ball to him with his thigh, the keeper may legally handle the ball inside his own penalty area

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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Remember Josh there is a how did the ball get to the thigh to think about. If it came from the foot just before the thigh then the player might be trying to use a deliberate trick to circumvent the Law and if he is he should be cautioned straight away for Unsporting Behaviour. The restart is Indirect Free Kick to his opponents.

Regards,

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Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The team winning the toss chooses the side and the team losing the toss gets the ball automatically, that is per the laws.

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