Question Number: 22009

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 9/19/2009

RE: Under 11

Barry of Morristown, Tennessee USA asks...

On the Kick Off - Law 8 states that any numbr of players can be in the center circle and that the ball is 'In Play' when the ball is kicked and moved forward. Any player in the center cirlce can do this. Based on the interpretation of the law can a player pass the ball back to another player who then kicks the ball forward? The law is not clear that the ball has to be kicked and moved forward on the first touch.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

On the first touch. If the ball is kicked backwards on a kickof, it has not been put into play properly, and the kick must be retaken.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You quoted it - the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward. If it doesn't move forward, then the ball was never in play and the restart (the kickoff) has to be redone.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

In the situation you're describing, the ball hasn't moved forward from the centre spot - and that's where the kick off occurs. If the ball doesn't move forward after a kick at that spot, then it isn't in play.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

NO!
I am trying to understand why you think it is not clear?
Do think if a series of back passes having the ball not going forward are preventing the ball from being in play?
A kick off and a PK are the only two free kicks that must go forward. On a kickoff if the ball is not initially kicked forward it is a retake, on a PK it is an indfk for the opposing team! That is confusing if you ask me!

Procedure
? all players must be in their own half of the field of play
? the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play
? the ball must be stationary on the centre mark
? the referee gives a signal
? the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward
? the kicker must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You're kidding, right? First, Law 8 most certainly does NOT say any number of players may be in side the center circle at a kick-off. Only the players on the KICKING team are allowed inside their half of the center circle. The opponents must stay outside the center circle.

Second, nothing could be clearer than this, found in Law 8:

? the ball must be stationary on the centre mark

? the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward

This means the kick is taken from the center mark so it must go forward