Question Number: 25033

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 5/30/2011

RE: Competitive Under 13

Kurt of los altso, California United States asks...

In a recent game a team was scored on to tie the game at 1-1 midway through the second half. In about 15 seconds they had grabbed the ball, run up to the mid line, and were looking to me to whistle the restart. They seemed to want to go at the other team before they could organize their defensive structure. Other than waiting for the scoring team to fully move to their half of the field, is there any accepted minimum amount of time that the defense can expect the referee to give before signaling for the kick off? Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The book answer is that the referee should not whistle for the kickoff until all players are on their own half of the field. The spirit of the game requires exactly the same answer.

The two answers diverge when each team is on its own half, but one team is still celebrating the goal. My advice is to wait for the players to be ready before you whistle for the kickoff. If some are delaying the restart of play, warn or caution them.

I've once watched the following happen. The referee whistled for the kickoff when the keeper is still at midfield celebrating the goal. A defender, angry that the referee has started play found another way to stop play - - by taking out the attacker who has the ball. The brawl began.

IMO, 'gotcha refereeing' has no place in our game. Players will resort to violence when they perceive that the referee is unfair.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kurt
The kick off can only happen when both teams are in their own half. If the referee believes that the goal celebration has been excessive or that a player has deliberately delayed the restart that player can be cautioned.
At this level I would simply speak to the scoring team to get to hurry back to their own half and restart the game as soon as that happens. There is no requirement for the referee to wait for the defending team to re-organize themselves although it is probably wise to ensure that nothing unfair happens.
I might also advise the team that time can be added on for excessive celebrations at a goal.