Question Number: 23193

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 4/26/2010

RE: recreational Under 11

crystal blackowl of el reno, ok usa asks...

This weekend my daughter scored off the kick off. She has been playing for 6 years and has done this many times including the weekend before this one. But for some reason the ref said you aren't allowed to score off of a kickoff and he gave the ball to the other teams goalie for a goal kick. So the question is, Is it illegal to score off a kick-off? And if not should the other team get the ball?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Well, for some reason the referee missed a rule change that happened before your daughter was born. Kickoffs (and goal kicks as well, should your daughter be able to kick it that far) have been direct kicks since 1997.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Sigh. Please report the referee to the league's assignor as he is sorely in need of a refresher course on the Laws of the Game and their application. A goal may be scored directly from a kick-off - says so in plain English in black and white in Law 8.

From the Laws of the Game 2009/2010:

Kick-off
A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play:
? at the start of the match
? after a goal has been scored
? at the start of the second half of the match
? at the start of each period of extra time, where applicable

A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It seems more likely that the referee erred than your league adopted a house rule contrary to the laws of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Crystal
The referee was incorrect here to disallow the goal as a goal can be scored directly from a kick off.
What can happen in many underage games is that competition organisers introduce a myriad of local rules preventing the regular playing of the game. That includes small sided fields, kick ins instead of throw ins, special rules for GKs etc etc. Referees then unfortunately bring some of these local rules into other underage games which causes these type of problems.
I would have to suggest that if happens again that you should politely speak to the referee after the game or if it is going to be a regular KO that the coach speak to the referee before the game to ensure that there is no local rule preventing this or the referee's incorrect understanding of the Law.