- Soccer Referee Resources
- Home
- Ask a Question
- Articles
- Recent Questions
- Search
- You-Call-It
- Previous You-Call-It's
-
VAR (Video Assistant Referee)
- Q&A Quick Search
- The Field of Play
- The Ball
- The Players
- The Players Equipment
- The Referee
- The Other Match Officials
- The Duration of the Match
- The Start and Restart of Play
- The Ball In and Out of Play
- Determining the Outcome of a Match
- Offside
- Fouls and Misconduct
- Free Kicks
- Penalty kick
- Throw In
- Goal Kick
- Corner Kick
- Common Sense
- Kicks - Penalty Mark
- The Technical Area
- The Fourth Official
- Pre-Game
- Fitness
- Mechanics
- Attitude and Control
- League Specific
- High School
- Common Acronyms
- Meet The Ref
- Advertise
- Contact AskTheRef
- Help Wanted
- About AskTheRef
- Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000
- Panel Login
|
Question Number: 34248Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play 6/19/2021RE: competive Adult Shaun of Melbourne, Quensland Australia asks...Based on laws of the game 20/21: For every kick-off: # all players, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the field of play # the opponents of the team taking the kick-off must be at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball until it is in play Does that mean all players, except the player taking the kick off, must be outside the centre circle? or the kick-off team's players, can be inside the semicircle? Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson Hi Shaun, no, his teammates are fine to be within 10 yards but only the ONE player actually kicking the ball can even be a bit inside the opposition half as the ball can now be played backward to begin the game. In essence, he has to be able to reach the ball to kick it! His/her entire team including the keeper (not that is a good idea mind you) could legally be inside the D section of their half of the center circle, whereas the opposition could not! The opposition team must be 10 yds away on the outer edges of their D section, respecting the distance just as in all free kicks except on those special circumstance INDFKs inside the PA that occur closer, between 10 and 6 yds away to the goal line and goal area where the opposition can stand on the goal line, under the crossbar, between the posts! Cheers
Read other questions answered by Referee Richard Dawson
View Referee Richard Dawson profileAnswer provided by Referee Jason Wright Hi Shaun The centre circle is simply there to help facilitate opponents remaining 10 yards from that restart - same as any free kick. The team taking the kick can put all 11 players inside the circle if they want.
Read other questions answered by Referee Jason Wright
View Referee Jason Wright profileAnswer provided by Referee Peter Grove Hi Shaun, The law, as you have correctly quoted it, clearly says that only the opponents must be 9.15 m away from the ball. The team mates of the kick taker can be as close as they like, so long as they are in their own half of the field.
Read other questions answered by Referee Peter Grove
View Referee Peter Grove profileAnswer provided by Referee Joe McHugh Hi Shaun When the Law was changed to allow the kick off to be kicked backwards there was an anomaly in the Law in that per the old law both teams had to be in their own half and the opponents had to be ten yards from the ball. At that time the traditional kick off was for two players to be stood in the centre circle in their own half and a tap forward to retain possession.
Under the amended Law for a player to kick the ball backwards he would have to be in the opponent’s half hence the current amended wording. So opponents must still be outside the centre circle that is 10 yards from the ball and all players other than the kicker are in their own half. The kicking team can have any number of players inside the circle in their own half of course.
Any breach of this part of the law that is encroaching by the opponents inside the circle is a retake. If it is doubtful or trifling which most are then play simply continues.
Read other questions answered by Referee Joe McHugh
View Referee Joe McHugh profile- Ask a Follow Up Question to Q# 34248
Read other Q & A regarding Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play
-
|
- Soccer Referee Extras
-
<>
This web site and the answers to these questions are not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The free opinions expressed on this site should not be considered official interpretations of the Laws of the Game and are merely opinions of AskTheRef and our panel members. If you need an official ruling you should contact your state or local representative through your club or league. On AskTheRef your questions are answered by a panel of licensed referees. See Meet The Ref for details about our panel members. While there is no charge for asking the questions, donation to maintain the site are welcomed! <>
|