Question Number: 28110

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 1/15/2014

RE: competitive Adult

William Ocampo of Missouri City, TX USA asks...

If the ball does not move forward on a kick-off, how many times can you re-take the kick-off? What do you do if they fail to kick it forward after two attempts?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi William,

The fact that the kick is to be retaken doesn't change after any number of attempts.

So that leaves the referee to find other ways to manage the situation. Perhaps before a retake, a loud and clear reminder to kick the ball forwards. If the same person doesn't seem to understand that concept, perhaps suggest that one of the other strikers takes the kick (you can't do more than suggest). Beyond that, the only thing you can do is caution for delaying the restart of play.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The ball is not in play on a kickoff unless the ball moves forward. There is no circumstance in which the referee could award a free kick to the opponents. But, what to do may depend on why the team hasn't put the ball into play. The nature and circumstances of the match will inform the referee's best response.

If it is an adult recreational game where no one really cares that the ball went backwards and not fowards, the referee might also decide to ignore as a trifling the infringement and simply allow play to continue. If the players are ok ignoring it, the referee might do so as well. If the team is doing it to protest the awarding of the goal or to delay the restart, a warning and then a caution may be the best way to get the match restarted. A challenge to the referee's authority can rarely be ignored.

If it is an U8 match, the referee may need to explain what is required for the ball to be put into play.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi William
Personally I don't pay too much attention to a ball that perhaps is kicked sideways that fails to go forward. It is 'trifling' and it can be ignored.
After a number of failed attempts the referee will have to decide the reason for this and take appropriate action which could include a caution for delaying the restart or dissent. That though does not change the restart which is still a kick off.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The restart remains a kickoff, for the same team. They get unlimited chances to do it right. The ref should be adding on time to compensate for the delay.

If it gets excessive and the it appears the kicking team is trying this to run out the clock, then the player should be cautioned for delaying the restart. And the ref will now be especially liberal in the amount of time added to compensate for all the delays caused by the retakes and the caution.