Small Sided Football - Laws of the Game

Preliminaries

The choice of ends is decided by the toss of a coin.  The team winning the toss decides which goal it wishes to attack in the first half of the game. The other team takes the kick-off to start the game.

Kick-off

A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting play:

• at the start of the game after a goal has been scored
• at the start of the second half of the game
• at the start of each period of extra time, where applicable

A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.

Procedure

• all players are in their own half of the playing area
• the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 3m from the ball until it is in play
• the ball is stationary on the centre mark
• the referee gives a signal the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward
• the kicker may not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player

After a team scores a goal, the other team takes the kick-off.

Infringements/Sanctions

If the kicker touches the ball for a second time before it has been touched by another player:

• An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team which has to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred. For any other infringement of the kick-off procedure the kick-off is retaken.

Drop Ball

A drop ball is a way of restarting the game after a temporary stoppage

Procedure

The referee drops the ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped, unless it was in the goalkeeper’s possession, when the goalkeeper shall, at the referee’s signal;

• return the ball into play by throwing the ball from any point within the Penalty Area.
• Play restarts when the ball touches the ground. 
• Where barricades are in use and a drop ball is required the referee shall drop the ball 2m from the barricade at the appropriate point.

Infringements/Sanctions

The ball is dropped again:

• If it is touched by a player before it makes contact with the ground
• If the ball leaves the playing area after it makes contact with the ground, without a player touching it