What is the restart if a teammate of the kicker crosses the half-way line before the ball is kicked on a kickoff?

In the scenario where a teammate of the kicker crosses the halfway line before the ball is kicked during a kickoff, the correct restart is to retake the kickoff without any penalty. This is in accordance with the laws of the game, which stipulate that all players must remain behind the halfway line until the ball has been kicked. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that both teams have an equal opportunity to contest for the ball at the start of play.

Since the player crossed the halfway line prematurely, the kickoff does not count, and the referee will order a retake. This is a standard administrative correction rather than a disciplinary action, as the disruption does not necessarily indicate a foul or misconduct. It is important for players to adhere to this rule to maintain a fair start to the game.