Question Number: 24864

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 4/29/2011

RE: rec / middle school Under 14

russ of augusta, ga usa asks...

A coach pointed out to me that there is no off-sides on a re-start. He also said he could not find a rule saying once the match begins with a whistle, his players (not kick-ing off) could run down the field in an attempt to quick strike.

Embarrassed that I did not know the answer, I told him to make sure the first touch was forward. There was no goal scored, but they did get off a good shot. There was no protest from the other coach - not sure he new the rule or if he would have protested if the other team did score.

What's the rule?

I've seen it in Premier League where one striker went forward before the ball moved to receive kick-off...

Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

All coaches don't know all the Laws. And it's apparent that some referees don't either.

There are only 3 restarts in which offside is exempted, all when the ball went off the field: Goal kick, Corner kick and Throw-in. It is also impossible to be in an offside position when properly lined up for a penalty kick or a kickoff. Offside does apply on free kicks.

At a kickoff, all players must remain in their own half until the ball has been kicked. If they don't the kick is retaken. In addition, defenders must be outside the center circle.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Law 8 requires all players to be in their own half on a kickoff. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward, not when the whistle blows. So, the coach's tactic works only if his players sprint down the field after the ball has been kicked properly.

At higher levels, the referee may ignore as trifling that a teammate on a kickoff is standing just on the other side of the halfway line. (Note: they almost always then play the ball backwards). IMO, at the YOUTH level, a wise referee will not permit this. Enforcing the law can send a strong message that the referee is paying attention and knows the laws. Stop play. Explain what they did wrong. Retake the kickoff.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russ
The whistle is only the signal that play can commence. Play commences when the ball is kick and moves at any restart.
At a kick off all the players must be in their own half of the field until the ball is in play that is when the ball is kicked forward. If a player runs into the opponents half before the ball is kicked the referee should stop play for an illegal start and restart with the kick off again.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Taking advice from coaches on the application of the Laws is never wise. In this case, the coach is dead wrong, and the referee should be the one to set him/her and the players straight.

The ball is in play from a kick off NOT at the whistle, but only when the ball is kicked and moves forward into the opposing half. This is found in Law 8. If the kick off is not properly taken (someone is not in position; the ball is not kicked forward; etc) then the kick is retaken (and retaken, and retaken, if necessary, until the Law is satisfied it has been properly done).

And again contrary to the coach's understanding, all players (offense and defense) must be in their own half before the kick is taken. After the kick is taken they can certainly move, and often the kicking and the moving are simultaneous, which is why often a referee will deem any such movement as trifling. The referee needs to understand WHY it is trifling, and at the younger or less skilled ages, it is not trifling, because they (and apparently their coaches) do not yet understand fully the requirements of the Law.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Russ, are you just describing a kick-off? Please try to be more specific.

The coach is absolutely wrong if he said there can no offside at any restart. That's just silly. If he pointed out that at a kick-off, if the referee makes sure all players are lined up correctly, i.e. inside their own half of the field, offside is impossible, he would be correct. Same is true of a penalty kick.

Whether you are discussing NFHS Rules or FIFA Laws, the ball is NOT put into play at the referee's whistle. The whistle is a signal from the referee that the ball may and should be put into play. The coach should know his team can't run forward at a kick-off before the ball is put into play and this is what you tell him if it comes up in the future. The ball is put into play at a kick-off when it is kicked and moved FORWARD. What you see in the Premiere League is the referee ignoring what is deemed a trifling offense. They also ignore the ball being kicked backwards before going forward at this level of play as everything happens so fast and the players don't care.

At youth play in the lower age/skill levels these offenses should not be seen as trifling and you should make the players adhere to theRules/Laws. Both teams have to be in their own halves of the field until the ball is put into play properly, and the defending team must also stay out of the center circle.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 24879