The Start and Restart of Play is the 8th of the Laws of the Game of association football. It concerns the methods of starting or restarting play in a game via the kick-off and dropped ball. Other methods of restarting play are addressed in other laws.
A kick-off is also used to restart play after a goal is scored, and is taken by the team that conceded the goal.
The ball is initially stationary until it is put into play. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward. The player who has first kicked the ball may not touch it again until it has been touched by another player. Because of this, play is almost always started with two players at the center spot - one to kick the ball forward a few inches, and the second to pass the ball backwards to the rest of the team.
A goal may be scored directly from a kick-off.
It is an offence for the kicker to touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player; this is punishable by an indirect free kick to the defending team from where the offence occurred, unless the second touch was also a more serious handling offence, in which case it is punishable by a direct free kick.
If a player touches the ball before it touches the ground, the drop-ball is retaken. If a player persistently touches the ball before it touches the ground, and the referee believes that the player is deliberately doing so, this may be considered misconduct and the referee may caution the player with a yellow card.
Kick-off
Award
A kick-off is used to start each half of play, and each period of extra time where applicable. The kick-off to start a game is awarded to the team that lost the pre-game coin toss (the team that won the coin-toss chooses which direction they wish to play). The kick-off begins when the referee blows the whistle. The kick-off to start the second half is taken by the other team. If extra time is played another coin-toss is used at the beginning of this period.A kick-off is also used to restart play after a goal is scored, and is taken by the team that conceded the goal.
Procedure
The kick-off is taken from the center spot. All players must be in their own half of the field of play, and all opposing players must remain at least 10 yards (9.16m) from the ball (a distance marked on the pitch by the centre circle), until the ball is in play.The ball is initially stationary until it is put into play. The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward. The player who has first kicked the ball may not touch it again until it has been touched by another player. Because of this, play is almost always started with two players at the center spot - one to kick the ball forward a few inches, and the second to pass the ball backwards to the rest of the team.
A goal may be scored directly from a kick-off.
Infringements
If a player moves from their required position as detailed above, or if the ball is not kicked forward, the kick is retaken. Failure to maintain position may constitute misconduct and be punished by a caution (yellow card).It is an offence for the kicker to touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player; this is punishable by an indirect free kick to the defending team from where the offence occurred, unless the second touch was also a more serious handling offence, in which case it is punishable by a direct free kick.
Dropped ball
Award
A drop-ball is not awarded to either team; rather it is used to restart play when the referee has stopped play for any reason not listed for another form of restart. Examples include when play has been stopped due to serious injury to a player, interference by an external party, or a ball becoming defective.Procedure
The ball is dropped by the referee at the point where the ball was when play was stopped, unless this is within a goal area in which case it is dropped on the goal area line parallel to the goal line. The ball becomes in play as soon as it touches the ground. Players must not touch the ball until it has touched the ground. If the ball leaves the field of play before it has been touched by a player, the drop-ball is retaken.Infringements
There is no mention in the Laws of the Game as to how many players, if any, may take part in a drop-ball or where they may be positioned. However, it is normal that a drop-ball is contested by two players (one from each team, as pictured above), like at a face-off in bandy or ice hockey.If a player touches the ball before it touches the ground, the drop-ball is retaken. If a player persistently touches the ball before it touches the ground, and the referee believes that the player is deliberately doing so, this may be considered misconduct and the referee may caution the player with a yellow card.