A kick-off starts both halves of a match, both halves of extra time and restarts play after a goal has been scored. Free kicks (direct or indirect), penalty kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are other restarts (see Laws 13–17). A dropped ball is the restart when the referee stops play and the Law does not require one of the above restarts.
If an offence occurs when the ball is not in play, this does not change how play is restarted.
the referee tosses a coin and the team that wins the toss decides which goal to attack in the first half or to take the kick-off
depending on the above, their opponents take the kick-off or decide which goal to attack in the first half
the team that decided which goal to attack in the first half takes the kick-off to start the second half
for the second half, the teams change ends and attack the opposite goals
after a team scores a goal, the kick-off is taken by their opponents
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
the ball must be stationary on the centre mark
the referee gives a signal
the ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves
a goal may be scored directly against the opponents from the kick-off; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents
If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball again before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick, or for a handball offence, a direct free kick, is awarded.
In the event of any other kick-off procedure offence, the kick-off is retaken.
The ball is dropped for the defending team goalkeeper in their penalty area if, when play was stopped:
the ball was in the penalty area or
the last touch of the ball was in the penalty area
In all other cases, the referee drops the ball for one player of the team that last touched the ball at the position where it last touched a player, an outside agent or, as outlined in Law 9.1, a match official
All other players (of both teams) must remain at least 4 m (4.5 yds) from the ball until it is in play
The ball is in play when it touches the ground.
The ball is dropped again if it:
touches a player before it touches the ground
leaves the field of play after it touches the ground, without touching a player
If a dropped ball enters the goal without touching at least two players, play is restarted with:
a goal kick if it enters the opponents’ goal
a corner kick if it enters the team’s goal
No, because the ball is not in play until it touches the ground. If the ball touches the player first (before touching the ground), the referee drops the ball again for Team A.
The referee stops play and awards a dropped ball to the goalkeeper's team at the point where the ball touched the referee.
The referee allows play to continue. This is permitted as Law 8 only requires that all players (except the player for whom the ball is dropped) remain at least 4 m from the ball until it is in play (i.e. until it touches the ground).
The kick-off is retaken by the same team.
Play is restarted with a corner kick to Team B because the dropped ball enters the goal without touching at least two players.
Team A player is penalised for offside. The referee disallows the goal and awards an indirect free kick to Team B where the offside offence occurred.
It is a dropped ball. A free kick can only be given if such an offence is committed by a player against an opposing player or a match official.
No. The Law 8 clearly states that "for every kick-off, all players, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the field of play".
No. If a dropped ball enters the goal without touching at least two players play is restarted with a goal kick (if it enters the opponents' goal) or a corner kick (if it enters the team's goal).
A goal may be scored directly against the opponents from the kick-off; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.
Play is stopped, restarted with a dropped ball for the team that last touched the ball (before it touched the match official) at the point where it touched the match official.
Play is restarted with a dropped ball.
No, an indirect free kick, or for a handball offence a direct free kick, is awarded to the opponents.
The referee will restart the game with a dropped ball for the defending team goalkeeper.
The referee will require the player to retreat the required distance; if the player does not do so then the player would be cautioned (yellow card, YC).
The dropped ball is at the point where it touched the referee.
Play is stopped, the referee drops the ball for one player of Team A at the position where the ball touched the referee.
The goal is disallowed and play restarts with a dropped ball for the defending team goalkeeper in their penalty area.
