<P> A kick - off is used to start each half of play , and each period of extra time where applicable . The kick - off to start a game is awarded to the team that lost the pre-game coin toss ( the team that won the coin - toss chooses which direction they wish to play ) . The kick - off begins when the referee blows the whistle . The kick - off to start the second half is taken by the other team . If extra time is played another coin - toss is used at the beginning of this period . </P>
who kicks the ball first to start a football game
awarded to the team that lost the pre-game coin toss