Kick-off
A method of starting or restarting play with a kick from a designated spot, used across several football codes.
Definition
In football (soccer) the kick-off starts each half and restarts play after a goal, taken from the centre mark with the ball on the centre spot. Under current Laws the ball may be played in any direction from the kick-off, and a goal can even be scored directly against the opponents.
Other codes use the term differently. In American and Canadian football the kickoff is a kick from a tee that gives possession to the receiving team and is a distinct phase of play, while rugby union and league begin and restart with a kick-off or drop-kick restart. The common thread is a kick that puts the ball into play from a set position.
Meaning by sport
This term is used differently across sports:
- Football
- A centre-spot kick that starts each half and restarts play after a goal.
- American football
- A kick from a tee that transfers possession to the receiving team.
- Rugby
- A kick-off or drop-kick used to start the game and restart play after scores.
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Rules
- Throw-inThe method of restarting football when the ball fully crosses a side line, taken by throwing it back into play.
- LetA call that stops a point and has it replayed without penalty, used across several racket sports.
- Direct and indirect free kicksThe two types of free kick awarded in football to restart play after a foul or other stoppage.
- Penalty kick awardA one-on-one kick against the goalkeeper awarded when a defending player commits a direct-free-kick foul inside their own penalty area.
- Yellow and red cardsThe disciplinary cards a football referee shows to caution or send off a player for misconduct.
Positions
- Cricket fielding positionsHow cricket names the places a fielder can stand — the off-side and leg-side halves, the forward and behind-square split, and why the same spot has a different name for each batter.
- StrikerA striker is the main attacking player in football, positioned furthest forward with the primary job of scoring goals.
- Goal attackThe goal attack is a versatile netball attacker who both feeds the shooter and scores goals, moving through the centre and attacking thirds.
- Centre-backA centre-back is a central defender in football whose main job is to stop opposing attackers and clear the ball from dangerous areas.
- Centre (netball)The centre is netball’s link between attack and defence, the only player allowed in every third except the two goal circles, and the player who takes the centre pass.
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- Content type
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- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
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- Content updated
- 2026-09-01
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