Question Number: 21989

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 9/16/2009

RE: Select Under 16

xXx of Indianola, Iowa United States asks...

Can two players be in the circle at the thime of the kickoff? One person kick it lightly to the other?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is the most common way of setting up for a kickoff.

Under the laws, all 11 attackers could be inside the center circle (in their own half) if they want. The prohibition is no defenders may be closer than 10 yards of the ball on a kickoff, and, thus, all defenders must be outside the portion of the center circle in their half of the field.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

What circle are we on about here? At the CENTRE CIRCLE the kick off is traditionally ALWAYS 2 team-mates standing about 1 yard from each other, I really am puzzled at the question? No opponents can be inside the circle at all, as a free kick, the kick off still requires the ten yard minimum distance respected. The rest of the team taking the kick can all be inside the circle on their side of the field if they so wished. Is that a good idea tactically?

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The entire kicking team can be in their side of the center circle at the kick-off. The opponents must stay out until the ball is kicked forwards. While it is perfectly legal for the player taking the kick to kick it to his teammate :lightly: as you describe, remember, the ball has to be kicked and mover FORWARD to the teammate or the ball is not in play