The Start and Restart of Play

Kick-Off

• Ball is in play as soon as the ball moves

• The ball may be kicked backwards

• A kick-off is a direct kick. A goal can be scored on a kick-off

• Defenders must be 10 yards away from the ball and on their own side of the field

• The kicker cannot touch the ball twice. Indirect Free Kick is the restart if double-touch occurs

Throw-Ins

A throw-in occurs when the ball goes outside of the touch line (sideline).

• Defenders must be 2 yards away from the throw-in. (A yellow card can be issued for being too close to a throw-in)

• A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in (it is an indirect restart of play)

• Attackers cannot be offside on a throw-in

• The “bad” throw results in the other team being awarded a throw-in at the same spot

  • NOTE: One ‘Do over’ is allowed in the U8 and U10 groups

• If the ball never enters the field of play, the throw-in is retaken

Goal Kicks

When the ball goes over a defender’s goal line, but not in the goal, after being kicked by an attacker, a goal kick is awarded.

• Goal kicks are direct kicks

• The goalkeeper may move side-to-side on the goal line only prior to the kick

• Attackers and defenders cannot be offside on a goal kick

• Opposing players are not allowed in the penalty area

• The ball is in play as soon as the ball moves (kicked)

• The ball may be placed anywhere inside or on the lines of the goal area

• The kicker cannot touch the ball twice. Indirect Free Kick is the restart if double-touch occurs

Corner Kicks

When the ball goes over a defender’s goal line, but not in the goal, after being kicked by a defender, a corner kick is awarded.

• Ball must be in or on the 1 yard arc

• Defenders cannot be within 10 yards of the ball

• This is a direct kick

• Attackers may be in an offside position on a corner kick

• The kicker cannot touch the ball twice. Indirect Free Kick is the restart if double-touch occurs

Drop Ball

The traditional “Drop Ball” as a way to restart the game is no longer used. It has been replaced with the following procedure:

• The ball is given to the team that was last in possession when the game was stopped. An indirect kick is the restart

• If the game was stopped, and the ball was inside the goal area, then the ball is given to the goalkeeper. An indirect kick by the goalkeeper is the restart

• If the ball hits the referee, the game is stopped and restarted with this new procedure

Injuries

• If an injury occurs, and a coach comes onto the field to assess and assist in the injured player, a substitute may replace the injured player. A substitute from the opposing team may also be substituted at this time.

• Oftentimes an injury results in a “drop-ball” situation for the restart. (See Drop-Ball procedures)

Indirect Free Kicks (IFK)

A foul that results in an indirect free kick:

• The ball must be touched by another player before a goal can be scored

• Requires the defending team players to be at least 10 yards from the ball

• A wall can be formed (10 yards from the ball)

• The kicker cannot touch the ball twice. Indirect Free Kick is the restart if double-touch occurs

Direct Free Kicks (DFK)

A foul that results in a direct free kick:

• The ball does not need to be touched by another player before a goal can be scored

• Requires the defending team players to be at least 10 yards from the ball

• A wall can be formed (10 yards from the ball)

• The kicker cannot touch the ball twice. Indirect Free Kick is the restart if double-touch occurs

Penalty Kick

A foul that results in a Penalty Kick:

• Foul must occur inside the penalty area

• This is a direct free kick

• The kicker taking the penalty kick does not need to be the same player that was fouled

• The ball must move forward upon kicking the ball

• All players but the kicker and the goalkeeper must be 10 yards from the ball

• No players, but the goalkeeper may be closer to the goal than the ball

• No players, other than the kicker may encroach before the kick is taken

Substitutions

Substitutions are unlimited but occur after certain stoppages of play:

• Substitutions can happen only after the AR signals it (see the AR Flag Signals section) AND the Referee allows it

• The player being substituted off must fully leave the field before play is restarted

• Players can only sub when they have possession on a throw in or on any goal kick or goal scored or injury

• Players waiting to enter play on a substitution MUST check in with the near-side AR and wait at the center line

For U10 and above, Substitutions occur:

• Before a kick-off

• Before a goal kick for either team

• Only for the team being awarded a throw-in prior to the throw-in

• For both teams if the team being awarded a throw-in has one or more players being substituted as well

• For one or more injured players

Exceptions for U4, U6, U8:

• Substitutions can occur at any stoppage of play

Goals

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no offense has been committed by the team scoring the goal.

Ball Out of Play

The ball is only out of the field of play when the ball fully crosses the line.

Offsides Position

It is not an offense to be in an offside position.

A player IS in an offside position if:

• Any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half (excluding the halfway line)

  • For U10 this includes the “breakout line”

• Any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent

The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeepers, are not considered when deciding whether a player is in an offside position

A player IS NOT in an offside position if level with the:

• Second-to-last opponent or

• Last two opponents or

• In line with the ball

A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a teammate is only penalized after becoming involved in active play by:

• Interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a teammate

• Interfering with an opponent by preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball or clearly attempting to play a ball which is close to him when this action impacts on an opponent or making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball

• Gaining an advantage by playing the ball or interfering with an opponent when it has:

  • Rebounded or been deflected off the goalpost, crossbar, match official or an opponent

  • Been deliberately saved by any opponent

A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save by any opponent) is not considered to have gained an advantage and therefore can’t be penalized for being offside

A ‘save’ is when a player stops, or attempts to stop, a ball which is going into or very close to the goal with any part of the body except the hands/arms (unless the goalkeeper within the penalty area).

Note: Offsides does not apply in any age group under U10

Example of being Offside:

The “Advantage” Rule

If a defender fouls an attacker, but not so badly that the attacker either loses possession of the ball or is not seriously disrupted or impeded in his or her progress to continue in the attack, the referee may allow play to continue, even a foul had been committed.