Question Number: 31921

Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play 10/19/2017

RE: Adult

Muhammad Rizwan of Abbottabad, Abbottabad Pakistan asks...

Sir, A a Goal Can Score Direct from a Kick off?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Muhammad,
Yes sir you can!
All that's required is the referee signal to start. a good solid aimed ball kicked down field, perhaps with a little wind assist or fortuitous bounce & an inattentive keeper.
Cheers

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Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Muhammad
Before 1997 it was not possible however now it is a goal if the ball enters the opponents goal directly from a kick off after the signal by the referee.
Here is an example
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6XCBq8W-OsI
As the ball can now be kicked backwards at a kick off an own goal cannot be scored by the kicking team. The restart there is a corner kick. Unlikely but one never knows!

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Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Muhammad,
Yes, a goal can be scored from the kick off but only against the opponents. This was not possible prior to 1997 when it was one of the changes in a major rewrite of the Laws.

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