Question Number: 24879

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 5/5/2011

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24864

I have 3 kickoff questions.

(1)If a player uses the top of her foot to roll the ball slightly forward & then rolls it backward to one of her mid-fielders without taking her foot off the ball (i.e. no 2nd touch), is that legal? In other words, must another player touch the ball before it can change directions...or is that considered a 2nd touch?

(2)If not, would this infringement be deemed trifling?

(3)I noticed that referee Keith Contarino said we should make sure players should be on their own side of the field at younger ages, would the same apply to this type of kickoff?

Thanks again for a wonderful informative site!

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

1. Rolling the ball with the bottom of the foot suffices as a "kick" to put the ball into play on a kickoff. The wise referee will be able to tell the difference between adjusting the location of the ball with the foot and a kickoff. The ball must move forward, however. 2. Above u-little, Yes.

3. The requirement that players be on their own half applies to every kickoff. A s the players skill and age increases, the referee likely will treat minor infringements as trifling.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

While USSF has stated that the roll-forward-and-back trick is not a legal method of putting the ball into play, it most likely is a trifling breach of Law 8. At U12 however, they don't often understand trifling, so it might be best to stop play and have them do a proper kick.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
1. The ball must be kicked forward. I would deem the forward roll with the foot on top of the ball as putting the ball in play at a kick off. I would not accept it being rolled backwards.
2. It is up to each referee to determine trifling
3. Certainly any player other than those involved in the kick should be in their own half. I would deem that a player straddling the line or slightly in front of the ball at the centre kick off as trifling. No one is going to be too concerned about it.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. I'm calling a second touch on this at U12, or a retake
2.U12 no
3. Absolutely