Question Number: 22158

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 10/5/2009

RE: Select & Competitive Under 12

Brad Strong of Elk Grove, CA United States asks...

Do both players starting play in a 'kick-off' situation need to be completely on their own side of the field? Or, can a player straddle the line and thus be deemed on their side while they receive the ball that was advanced forward.

Thanks - love the site and appreciate the refs sharing their expertise.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

At the elite level we often see a straddling and as a BIGGER fISH to FRY atitude it is overlooked by the referee as trifling to the overall match importance.
Is is illegal and by law players must be on their own side of the midline UNTIL the ball is moved forward at the kick off!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Brad, and thanks for the kind words.

The laws of the game require that ALL players remain wholly within their own half of the field. Often referee's permit the 2nd player at a kickoff to stand just in his opponent's half, but strictly speaking this is against the laws of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brad
The law is clear on this in that all players must be in their own half before kick off. The implementation of this is varied with some referees viewing it as trifling while other insist on the law being fully adhered to. All that can happen with an infringement of this part of the law is a retake. I allow straddling of the line but if the player is clearly in the other half by a distance I will not allow that. Also it is an advantage if say the ball is passed directly out to the sideline and the teammate started a number of yards in the opponents half.
Thank you for your generous comments. Happy to be of assistance