Question Number: 25949

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 2/4/2012

RE: Rec, High School, High School

Bill Stoneman of Fairfield , Ca USA asks...

On a kick off after a goal was socred. The kickker placed his toe on the ball and rolled it forward to the heel and then rolled ti back to a team mate. This was done with his foot on the ball the hole time. I called it as two tuches and gave a IDF to the other team. Is this what you would call or just have it rekicked as a kick that did not go forward/

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bill
Unless the player moved his foot away and touched the ball again I would not see this as a double touch violation. NFHS unlike USSF states that if the kickoff is taken improperly, it must be retaken. So in this sitaution the kickoff is retaken

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It's not two touches, as the player's foot never lost contact with the ball. However, the kickoff was not taken in the correct manner, since the ball has to go forward and be released. It's not enough that the ball was pushed forward before being dragged backward. Redo the kickoff properly. After all, it's not that hard for a teammate to be near the ball and kick it back on the second or third touch.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Is it a perfect way to kick the ball forward at a kickoff. No. But, except at U-littles (where learning the game is part of the fun), this is something thatusually should be ignored as a trifling. Calling this an an infringement does nothing to add to normal match control - - it seems overly officious.

Here's where the thoughtful referee decides when it is vital to send a message in the opening kickoff. If you are assigned a match to two rivals who dislike each other, and there is a history of violence, stopping play at the first kickoff for any infringement sends the message that the game is going to be called very tightly. (Of course, you then have to deliver!) Determine that the ball didn't go forward/wasn't kicked, and have the kick retaken. The opportunity to send message at the outset is a gift which the referee can take!.

But, unless there is a good reason to call it, the game is more fun if the referee ignores the roll the ball with the foot kickoff.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Two touch is not possible unless the foot has left the ball at some point and then been returned to the ball.

This was not an infraction if it was a free kick, but it was not kicked forward as required under the LOTG. Restart should have been a retake at this level.