1

Law 8

The Start and Restart of Play

2

At the end of this lesson the student will:

Objectives

• 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

Prior to the Start of the Match, The Officiating Team

Team Introductions

Check the BallCheck the Field

4

5

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

Please!No

pre-game threats, lectures or rules clinics.

COIN TOSS “Now, before we start, let’s briefly review Law 12, Fouls and Misconduct…”

7

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

Referee Carries Match Ball, A/Rs Flags Furled

8

9

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

10

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

11

KICK-OFF DIRECTIONS

12

KICK-OFFSWhen:• Start of game• After each goal

– 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-offA goal may be scored directly from a kick-off

13

INFRACTIONS AT KICK-OFF

• 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

14

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

DROPPED BALL

15

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

16

REVIEW

• Coin toss – 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.

17

REVIEWAt 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?

– Yes

18

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?