Question Number: 21069

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 4/1/2009

RE: Under 11

MICHAEL of NYC, NY USA asks...

The whistle is needed to:
start play (1st, 2nd half), after a goal - ok. tHE question is: On a start of play, one player touches the ball forward, and the other player from his her team gets the ball with the whistle of the referee. SO FAR SO GOOD. One couch argued with me this past weekend that the first player can just kick the ball anywhere he/she wants, and a touch - or a reception is not needed by the second player. Can the starting player just kick the ball anywhere or to anyone on a start of play - starting kickoff or after a goal at the midfield circle. URGENT. I have to put this in my report.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Law 8 says the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves FORWARD from a kickoff at the start of the game or after a goal. If it is not kicked forward, it is a retake. A touch by another player is not required to put the ball into play, only the initial kick forward from the center mark.

Do not allow coaches to argue with you - it's a no win situation for you. Remind them their job is to coach the players and behave in a responsible manner, otherwise, they will be dismissed.

I'm not sure what you need to put in your report, but if you had the player kick the ball forward on the kickoff, you're fine.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The coach is absolutely wrong. On a kickoff (and penalty kick) the ball is in play when it is kicked and moved FORWARD. If the taker of the kickoff does not kick it forwards, the kick must be retaken.