CoinToss
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Flip a coin for the pre-match toss. Settle who kicks off or chooses which end to attack before your match, training, or friendly five-a-side game.
This page is for a quick toss before a recreational association football match. Professional matches follow the IFAB Laws of the Game; local competitions may set additional procedures, so check the rules that apply to your match.
The tool uses browser randomness to choose between kick-off and choosing ends. It is not an official match procedure or a substitute for the referee's toss.
The pre-match toss is described in IFAB Law 8. A team may also consider local pitch and weather conditions when deciding between its options.
Under the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game, a coin toss decides the start of play. The captain who wins the coin toss gets to choose either which goal to attack in the first half, or to take the kick-off.
Under the IFAB Laws of the Game, the referee conducts the toss. The competition organiser may set additional procedures, so local teams should follow the rules for their match.
Wind, low sun, or a sloping pitch may influence a team's choice of ends. The best choice depends on the conditions and the team's preference.
If a knockout match proceeds to extra time, another coin toss takes place to choose ends or kick-off. Before a penalty shootout, a separate toss determines the goal used, and another toss lets the winner choose whether to kick first or second.
| Toss Result | Option Chosen | Opposing Team Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Toss Winner | Chooses Goal to Attack (Ends) | Takes the First-Half Kick-Off |
| Toss Winner | Chooses First-Half Kick-Off | Chooses Goal to Attack (Ends) |
| Second Half | Teams change ends | The team that did not take the first-half kick-off takes the second-half kick-off |
Frequently asked questions regarding pre-match coin flips in grass-roots and professional football.
Under IFAB Law 8, the referee conducts the toss; it does not specify a home or away captain to call heads or tails. The winner chooses either which goal to attack in the first half or to take the kick-off.
Yes. Under IFAB Law 8, the winner chooses either which goal to attack in the first half or to take the kick-off. The other team receives the remaining option.
For a physical toss, follow the referee's decision and the competition's procedures. This digital tool always returns heads or tails.
The pre-match toss assigns a choice about the start of play; it does not resolve a drawn match. If a competition needs a winner, the applicable rules specify a separate procedure. See IFAB Law 8 for the opening toss and IFAB Law 10 for determining the outcome of a match.
The toss determines the options available at the start of play; which choice is preferable depends on the match and conditions.
In association football, wind, sunlight, or pitch conditions may affect a team's choice of ends. Their effect depends on the venue and match, so there is no universally best choice.
IFAB Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play and IFAB Law 10: Determining the Outcome of a Match.