Question Number: 23987

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 9/22/2010

RE: Rec Under 11

George Baihly of Harpers Ferry, WV USA asks...

Can the defense charge into the circle in the air to block a kickoff as long as their foot is outside the circle when they jump? In other words, can you break the plane of the cylinder surrounding the circle to try to block a Kickoff, without stepping over the line? The reason I ask this, is that there is a child in our league who can score from a kickoff and this is only way I can see to defend the kick is to close the distance between our defenders and the ball when it is kicked?

Thanks,

George

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi George
A player may not enter the centre circle until the ball is kicked forward by the opponents. I would suspect that to kick the ball that distance at U11 it will require immediate elevation and it is unlikely that 10 yards will be close enough to charge the ball down.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

It doesn't matter whether the player is on the ground or in the air - he may not enter the circle until the moment the ball has been touched by the player taking the kickoff,

You may have to think of other ways to defend the goal. Good luck with it.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

just a thought; spend some extra time with the keeper and your sweeper or 2 back defenders. No one should be able to kick the ball from the center line into a well defended goal