Question Number: 21191

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 4/25/2009

RE: rec Under 12

John of Ridgefield, CT USA asks...

The white team wins the coin toss at the beginning of a game and the white captains choose to defend the North goal. The captains of both teams leave the center to go back to their respective teams. When the white team comes out, they defend the South goal. The orange team coach questions this. Is there a rule that says the winning team is not allowed to change the decision as long as the game has not started?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The team winning the coin toss must decide which goal they are going to attack. they tell the referee which goal and that's the end of it. In your example, white chose to attack the South goal (or defend the North goal). When the teams came out and lined up incorrectly, the referee must tell the teams to switch goals.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I agree with my colleague that it should be the end of it, however, it does say the TEAM that WINS the toss DECIDES not the referee or the oposition) If the game has not started and it was say a misspoke by the captain because he can't understand right from lef,t north versus south or simply misinterpreted his coaches instruction, Lets take the sun side or Use the wind direction! I see nothing in law that directly states it can not be permitted. As a referee I might question if it was a delaying tactic or a tactical get under the skin ploy but since the decision was THEIRS to decide which side to DEFEND and the opposition gets kick off what issue is there really other than it could look and feel a trifle odd?? I also pay attention as a referee and likely question the team as they take the field, you guys mentioned this side and hopefully fix this before it comes to a WTH? (what the heck?) happened situation.

Preliminaries
A coin is tossed and the *team* that *wins * the toss *decides* which goal it will attack in the fi rst half of the match.
The other team takes the kick-off to start the match.
The team that wins the toss takes the kick-off to start the second half
of the match.
In the second half of the match, the teams change ends and attack
the opposite goals.
Cheers