RULE 8 - THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY

Either the choice of ends or kick-off is decided by the toss of a coin. The team winning the toss decides either: which goal it wishes to attack in the first period of the match or if the team prefers to start the game.

The team that does not take the kick-off to start the first period will take the kick-off to start the second period of the match, while the teams change ends and attack the opposite goals.

In the third period of the match, the toss of a coin decides which teams will choose ends or take the kick-off to start this last period.

In case of overtime the team that did not take the kick-off to start the third period will take the kick-off to start the overtime of the match, while the teams change ends and attack the opposite goals.

In case of a penalty series there will be another toss before the series in order to determine who kicks first (see Rule 18).

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

· at the start of the match;

· after a goal has been scored;

· at the start of the second and third period of the match;

· at the start of the extra time period, where applicable.

A goal cannot be scored directly from the kick-off.

· All players are in their own half of the field;

· the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least 16 feet from the ball until it is in play and must wait to enter the opponent’s half of the field until the ball is in motion;

· the ball is stationary on the centre of the halfway line;

· the referee gives a signal;

· player has to put ball in motion.

· the ball is in play when it is airborne or when it is put in motion and has made a full turn over its circumference, after which another player can then kick or pass the ball;

· 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.

If the kicker touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

For any other infringement of the kick-off procedure, the kick-off is retaken.

A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage which becomes necessary while the ball is in play and provided that immediately preceding the stoppage it has not passed over the touch line or end line, for any reason not mentioned elsewhere in the Rules of the Game.

· One of the referees drops the ball in the center of the halfway line;

· play restarts when the ball touches the sand.

The ball is dropped again:

· if it is touched by a player before it makes contact with the sand;

· if the ball leaves the field after it makes contact with the sand, without a player touching it.