Question Number: 25115

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 6/20/2011

RE: participation/ but league football Under 9

stuart ford of brixham, devon united kingdom asks...

Hi we have every so often been shhoting at goal from kick off and a few times scored on the fa rules law 8 start and restart which we abide by it say that a goal can be scored from a kick off am i understanding the rule right as long as the ball is played forward
nobody else touches it and a lad has a shot at goal and scores is this legal many thanks stu

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Under the Laws of the Game, kickoffs were made direct in the 1990's. Prior to that, kickoffs were indirect. However, there may be youth league modifications that make kickoffs indirect for your games.

One year my daughter's team played on a very short field; the center circle and penalty arc actually intersected. We spent a few minutes practicing direct scores on kickoffs, but didn't pursue the matter because none of the girl's shots on goal were made with enough speed to score from the 30 or so yards out on a kickoff.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Stuart
The Laws of the Game now allow for a goal to be scored directly from a kickoff. The same also applies to a goal kick.
The FA's Small Sided Football Rules also allow for a goal to be scored directly from a kick off. see attached
http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/Players/LawsOfSmallSidedFootball
However just be aware that there may be a local modification to this rule in respect of underage games on very small sided pitches to prevent teams shooting from the kick off.