Soccer Kickoff Rules: Complete Guide

In every match, the kickoff is the first touch of the ball, and it happens more than once—at the start of each half, after every goal, and before extra time. While it may seem routine, it’s a play governed by precise rules that affect both fairness and flow.

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When Does a Kickoff Occur?

There are four main instances:

• To start the first half.
• To start the second half.
• At the beginning of each extra time period (if played).
• After a goal has been scored.

In all cases, the team that did not score takes the kickoff—except at the start of the match, where a coin toss determines who kicks off.

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Positioning Requirements

At the moment the ball is kicked:

• All players must be in their own half of the field.
• The team not taking the kickoff must be outside the center circle.
• The ball is placed at the very center of the halfway line.

The player kicking off is allowed to stand on the center mark and may now kick the ball in any direction (this changed in 2016—prior to that, the ball had to go forward).

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Execution and Touch Rules

Once the referee blows the whistle, the ball is live as soon as it is touched and clearly moves. The player taking the kickoff cannot touch the ball a second time until another player has made contact. If they do, the restart is retaken as an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

A goal can be scored directly from a kickoff, but only against the opposing team. If a player kicks the ball directly into their own net from a kickoff, it’s ruled a corner kick—not an own goal.

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Tactical Use

In lower-stakes games, kickoffs are often conservative: a short pass to a teammate followed by a build-up from the back. But in more competitive or tactical matches, teams may attempt long kicks or surprise movements to exploit disorganized defenses.

Coaches sometimes script kickoff routines—switching sides, isolating a winger, or using decoy runs—all within the constraints of the laws. While no player can encroach into the opposing half before the ball is in play, once it's kicked, movement is unrestricted.

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Retakes and Violations

If any of the rules are broken—players entering the circle early, ball not placed properly, or a false start—the referee may order the kickoff to be retaken. Repeated violations can result in disciplinary action, though that’s rare.

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Conclusion

The kickoff isn’t just symbolic—it’s a structured and rule-bound restart that can be used strategically. Knowing the details matters, whether you’re trying to press early, protect possession, or flip field position right from the first whistle.