Soccer Kick-Off Rules

Every game of soccer begins with a kick-off. Kick-offs are also used to:

• restart the game after a goal has been scored (the team scored against takes the kick-off)
• start the second half of the game
• start the first and second halves of extra time, if extra time is being played (normally in knock-out matches)

How to Kick-Off in Soccer

The kick-off procedure is simple, but there are a few rules to keep in mind:

• all players must be standing in their own side of the field (Team A must be in one half, Team B in the other).

• the ball has to be placed on the center mark (the spot on the halfway line located in the very center of the field). The ball must be stationary.

• the players of the team not taking the kick-off must be 10 yards from the ball (they must be standing outside the center circle).

• when the ball and the players are all in position, the referee gives a signal to start the kick-off.

• the player taking the kick-off must kick the ball forward (he or she cannot kick it back to a teammate). The kick-off taker is not allowed to touch the ball again until it has touched another player. For this reason, most teams normally place two players side-by-side to take the kick-off. The kick-off taker gently kicks the ball to his teammate (making sure the ball rolls slightly over -- not behind -- the halfway line); his teammate can then play the ball backwards as the ball is now officially in play.

More Soccer Kick-Off Rules

If the kick-off taker touches the ball twice, the referee will award an indirect free kick to the opposing team. For any other infringement or error during the kick-off procedure, the referee will make the team retake the kick-off.

Here’s one final thing to remember about soccer kick-offs: you can score a goal directly from the kick-off. Yep, it’s true: a kick-off is similar to a direct free kick in that respect. In theory, the kick-off taker can shoot straight for goal and, if the ball goes in, the referee must award the goal. Unless you’re playing on a very small field, however, it’s probably not worth trying such a long-range shot.

Do you have any questions or comments about the soccer kick-off rules? If you do, feel free to leave a comment below. Thanks! 

Photo © Richard Matthews, flickr.com

Read More About Soccer Rules:

• Drop Ball Rule
• Substitution Rules
• Advantage Rule