A new five-second restart rule for throw-ins and goal kicks will be used at the World Cup. If the referee judges voluntary delay, a visible count starts. At zero, a delayed throw-in goes to the other team and a delayed goal kick becomes a corner. ^{1 2}

The rule does not put every throw-in or goal kick on a five-second clock as soon as the ball goes out. The referee starts the count only after deciding the restart is taking too long or is being deliberately delayed. ³

Teams still have time for normal ball retrieval, positioning, substitutions, and referee control. The referee can count slow walks to the ball, wrong restart spots, teammates arriving late, or ball resets after the restart location is clear.

For a throw-in, the nearest teammate has to be available early. For a goal kick, the goalkeeper needs short and long options set before the referee judges delay. Teams that keep arranging players after the restart is clear risk losing the restart.

What changes

If a throw-in is not in play when the count reaches zero, the throw-in is awarded to the opposing team. If a goal kick is not in play at zero, the opponent gets a corner. ²

IFAB’s protocol says slow retrieval can count as delay. So can taking a throw-in from the wrong position, or placing the ball incorrectly for a goal kick. The countdown can start before the player has the ball because the referee is judging the whole restart process. ³

If the player has already begun the throw or kick when the count reaches zero, IFAB says the referee should not punish the delay. ³

Defenders still have to follow the normal restart laws. On throw-ins, opponents must stay at least two metres from the throw-in point. On goal kicks, opponents must stay outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked and clearly moves. ^{4 5}

Why throw-ins are affected

A PLOS One study of 2,658 La Liga throw-ins from 80 matches in 2021-22 found that fast throw-ins, no pressure, short or backward direction, and central-zone restarts were linked with better possession continuation. Teams lost the ball more often from defensive-zone throw-ins. ⁶

A rushed throw into a marked teammate is still a bad throw. Fast throws help most when the thrower already has a simple option. Once the defending team has time to mark the nearest receivers, the throwing team needs a safer pass.

American Soccer Analysis found 44 MLS throw-ins per match on average from 2015-18. The throwing team retained possession within seven seconds on 60% of them. ASA found teams were most likely to keep the ball when they threw it in about five seconds after it went out. ⁷

The La Liga and MLS samples cover different competitions, seasons, and methods. In both datasets, early throws helped before defenders marked the first receivers.

In training, the first receiver can be assigned before the ball goes out. The thrower should not have to decide whether the full-back, winger, or midfielder is the emergency option after the referee has started counting.

One teammate comes short. One teammate gives an option inside the field. One player stays farther up the line to occupy a defender. If all three arrive late, the thrower either waits and risks the count or throws into pressure.

In the attacking third, losing a throw-in may only end a spell of pressure. In the defensive third, the same delay can give the opponent a restart near the box. The touchline also helps the defending team close down the first receiver.

The defending team cannot crowd the thrower inside the two-metre distance, but it can still mark the first receiver, block the pass inside, and close down the next pass. If the attacking team is still walking into position, the defending winger or full-back can press the first receiver immediately.

If the first receiver is facing the touchline with pressure on the back, the next pass has to be ready. That can be a return pass to the thrower, a short pass inside, or a run behind the defender. The return pass, inside pass, or run behind has to be ready before the referee starts counting.

Why goal kicks are affected more

A delayed throw-in loses possession. A delayed goal kick gives the opponent a corner.

Since the 2019 law change, teams can receive goal kicks inside their own penalty area. FIFA Training Centre says that change added 640 square metres of build-up space and made the goalkeeper more important against high pressing. The goalkeeper now chooses between short, medium, and long distribution while the opponent sets a press outside the box. ⁸

Receiving inside the box often means defenders spread out and midfielders drop before the kick. Wide players may move higher. The goalkeeper scans the short pass, the next pass, and the long option. Centre-backs, midfielders, wide players, and the long option need to move before the referee judges delay.

If the goalkeeper waits for a short pass after the referee starts the count, the referee can award a corner. The goalkeeper needs a safe long pass available when the short pass is covered.

At the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the USA regained possession more than any other team within 15 seconds of opposition goal kicks. FIFA’s report described a narrow front line, players moving toward the ball side, and pressure on the second pass. ⁹

The goalkeeper cannot wait until every short option is clean. The team needs a short pass, a pass back or across after the first pass, and a longer option ready early. If the short pass is covered, the goalkeeper needs a long target already set.

The pressing team cannot enter the penalty area before the ball is kicked and clearly moves. Once the ball is in play, the nearest forward can block the pass back to the goalkeeper while another defender closes down the wide receiver.

The goalkeeper can still hide the pass by looking one way or waiting for a defender to move late. If the goalkeeper stands over the ball waiting to read the press, the referee may start the count.

Timing context

Opta measured 2025-26 Premier League stoppages at 17.9 seconds per throw-in and 30.1 seconds per goal kick on average. ¹⁰

A 30-second goal kick is not punished unless the referee has started the countdown. Teams already use extra seconds to retrieve the ball, move players, and set the restart.

Opta also noted that players may rush restarts and referees still have to decide when delay begins. ¹⁰

Players need to know which actions invite the count: walking away from the correct spot, waiting for a teammate to arrive, delaying ball retrieval, or resetting the ball after the restart location is already clear.

The thrower or goalkeeper can rehearse the short, inside, or long option before the match. The player nearest the restart should already know the safe choice when the referee starts counting in a real match during live play.

Training should include the moment when the coach or referee starts the count. A player who slowly retrieves the ball may be in trouble before the ball is in hand. A goalkeeper who keeps pointing teammates around the box while the ball is placed may force the referee to start counting.

Training use

No count starts when the ball goes out. The count starts only when the coach or referee judges delay. Raise a hand, count down from five, and enforce the sanction.

Run the drill with normal match delays too: a ball rolling away, an opponent standing close, or a teammate arriving late. The player still has to restart once the referee starts counting.

If the ball is not in play at zero, turn it over. For a throw-in, the defending group takes the throw-in from the same spot. For a goal kick, the defending group takes the corner closest to the goal-kick spot. Repeat it in both halves so players see when a turnover gives away territory or a corner.

The nearest teammate shows for the ball before the thrower has it. Another teammate gives a pass inside. If the first receiver is marked, the second option has to be ready.

Goal-kick work starts with three choices: one short pass, one pass available after the first ball, and one longer pass. The goalkeeper needs all three before the countdown starts.

The pressing group should rehearse the legal timing too. On throw-ins, respect the two-metre rule, then close down the receiver and the inside pass. On goal kicks, stay outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked and clearly moves, then press the first or second pass.

Coaches can review three yes-or-no questions after the drill. Was the ball available? Was the restart location correct? Were the first two options already in place before the count started? If not, the team was late getting the ball, finding the spot, or setting the options.