1. The Start and Restart of Play
Law 8
The Start and Restart of Play

2. Objectives At the end of this lesson the student will:
demonstrate a properly dropped ball
state the proper position of players at a kick-off
given examples, identify improper kick-offs and the proper restart for each situation, if necessary

3. Prior to the Start of the Match, The Officiating Team
Check the Ball
Team Introductions
Check the Field

4. COIN TOSS Introductions Referee tosses coin, who calls it?
Traditionally the visiting captain
Winner picks end to attack
Loser gets to kick-off
Be friendly, cordial and brief
Do not coach or lecture
Start game on time

5. pre-game threats, lectures or rules clinics.
COIN TOSS
“Now, before we start, let’s briefly review Law 12, Fouls and Misconduct…”
Please! No
pre-game threats, lectures or rules clinics. 5

6. KICK-OFF MECHANICS Prior to kick-off (3 - 5 minutes)
Referee team enters field together
Moves to center mark
Referee carries match ball
AR’s move to goal and check nets
AR’s move to touch line

7. Referee Carries Match Ball, A/Rs Flags Furled

8. KICK-OFF MECHANICS (cont.)
One minute before kick-off:
Assistant Referees
supervise bench area
line up with 2nd last defender
count players in their half
unfurl flag to signal readiness
Referee
supervises clearing of the field
visually checks with AR’s for readiness

9. KICK-OFF MECHANICS (cont.)
At kick-off:
Each team in own half of field
Defenders at least 10 yards from ball
Ball stationary on center mark
Referee gives a signal for kick-off (How?)
Ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward
Kicker can stand in the opponents half at the kick-off

10. KICK-OFF DIRECTIONS {Note: It is now acceptable to kick the ball backwards}

11. KICK-OFFS When: Start of game After each goal Start of second half
By team scored upon
Start of second half
After teams have switched ends
By team that did not kick-off in first half
Start of each overtime period
A goal may be scored directly from a kick-off

12. INFRACTIONS AT KICK-OFF
Defending Players in wrong half of field
Ball does not move forward
Taken before referee’s signal
Retake the kick
Kicker plays ball a second time “double touch” - IFK to opponent
{Remember: It is now acceptable for Kicker to stand in the opponents half at the kick-off}

13. DROPPED BALL
A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage which becomes necessary, while the ball is in play, for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Laws of the Game

14. DROPPED BALL PROCEDURES
Referee drops ball (from waist high)
Where ball was when play was stopped (except in goal area)
No players required (2 players traditional)
Re-drop if:
touched by player before it hits ground
ball leaves field before touched

15. REVIEW Coin toss Who calls it? What choice does the winner have?
brief and cordial
Who calls it?
Traditionally the visitor calls it.
What choice does the winner have?
Which goal it will attack
What will the loser get to do?
Kick off in the first half.

16. REVIEW At the kick-off: Where are the players?
Players are in their own half of field
How far away are the defenders
at least 10 yards from ball
When is the ball in play?
When it is kicked forward
Can a goal be scored directly?
Yes
Must there be a signal for play to start?

17. REVIEW Any infractions (except 2nd touch) Retake the kick
2nd touch by kicker
IFK for opponents
Dropped ball for undefined stoppages
Where does the dropped ball take place?
When is the ball in play?
What happens if a player “double touches” the ball?
Who can participate? How many can?
Where the ball was when play was stopped.
The ball is in play when it touches the ground.
A player can touch the ball more than once on a dropped ball.
Any player may participate, ball may be dropped between two players but no players are required. Dropped ball to a single player is allowed.