Football teams defer the kickoff to give the other team the first choice of options, then take their own choice to start the second half. That usually lets them receive the second-half kickoff, creating a chance to score before halftime and then get the ball again after the break.
The choice happens at the opening coin toss, and it is about who chooses first—not about delaying a kickoff. Here’s how deferring works, why coaches often prefer it, and when choosing to receive first may be smarter. You’ll also see how the decision can change with a team’s strengths, the weather, and the score.
Why do football teams defer the kickoff?
Teams usually defer because they want the first choice to start the second half. The coin-toss winner gives the opposing team the first-half choice and keeps its own choice for the second half. In most games, the team that defers then chooses to receive after halftime.
That sequence can create a valuable scoring opportunity around the break. A team might score on its last possession of the first half, then receive the opening kickoff of the second half and try to score again. Coaches sometimes call this a “two-for-one” opportunity: two possessions close together, separated by halftime.
It is an opportunity, not a guarantee. The team still needs to move the ball, avoid turnovers, and stop its opponent. Deferring does not award extra points or an extra possession by itself. It simply gives a team control over its second-half starting choice.
What “defer” means at the coin toss
At the start of a game, the referee conducts a coin toss to determine which team gets the first choice of options. The toss-winning captain may choose an available option immediately or defer that choice until the second half. A team that defers is not choosing to postpone the opening kickoff; it is postponing its choice.
The other team then makes the first-half selection. Depending on the rules and options in that competition, it can generally choose to receive the opening kickoff, kick off, or select which end of the field to defend. The team that deferred gets its choice at the start of the second half.
In the common sequence, the toss winner says it will defer, the opponent elects to receive, and the toss winner receives after halftime. The opposing team gets the ball first in the game, but the team that deferred gets the first second-half possession if it chooses to receive.
Deferring is different from choosing to kick
These choices are easy to mix up. If a captain chooses to kick, the team has selected to kick the ball to the opponent at that time. If the captain defers, the team has held its selection for the second half, leaving the opponent to decide the first-half options.
Likewise, “defer the kickoff” is common shorthand, but it is not technically what the captain does. The captain defers the choice of options; the opening kickoff still happens on schedule.
How the first- and second-half choices work
The simplest way to understand the toss is to track which team gets to choose and when. The exact wording and available choices can vary by league, but the basic idea is to assign a choice at the start of each half.
| Coin-toss decision | First-half result | Second-half choice | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defer | Opponent chooses the first-half option | Toss winner chooses at halftime | A team aiming to receive after the break |
| Receive | Toss winner receives the opening kickoff | Opponent gets the second-half choice | A team that wants the ball first or trusts its opening script |
| Choose a field end | Teams line up to play toward the selected ends | Opponent receives the remaining choice | A team responding to wind, sun, or field conditions |
| Choose to kick | Toss winner kicks off to begin the game | Opponent gets the corresponding later choice | A team with a specific tactical reason to kick first |
This table describes the broad strategic choices, not a replacement for a league’s rulebook. Football rules and coin-toss procedures differ across professional, college, high school, and other competitions. Officials explain the available options before play, and captains should make their selection using the wording required in that game.
Why getting the ball after halftime can matter
A possession just before halftime and a possession immediately after it can put pressure on an opponent. If the first drive ends in a score, the team can enter the break with momentum and then attack again after the teams switch ends. The opponent may have to defend for a long stretch without getting the ball back.
The timing also helps coaches plan. The offense can use a prepared opening sequence after halftime, while the defense has the break to review what happened and adjust. A team that knows it will receive can organize its halftime discussion around the next drive and the field position it expects to get.
That possibility is especially appealing when a team has a reliable offense or a strong two-minute attack. A late first-half possession may offer a chance to score before time expires, while the second-half kickoff provides another planned start. Still, an offense that stalls or turns the ball over can lose the advantage the team hoped to create.
The other side of the strategy matters too. The opponent gets to start the game with the ball, so the team that defers must be ready to defend immediately. If the opponent scores quickly, the decision may look less attractive, even though the second-half choice remains valuable.
When receiving the opening kickoff may be better
Deferring is common, but it is not automatically the best move. A team may choose to receive if its opening offense is a strength and it wants to establish control early. The first drive can set the tone, provide an early scoring chance, and let the offense test the opponent’s defensive plan.
Receiving first can also make sense when the team expects a difficult second half. For example, a team facing a strong second-half wind might prefer the opening possession, depending on the stadium conditions and which end it will defend. The benefit depends on the actual weather and field layout; it is not a universal reason to reject deferral.
A team may also prefer the ball first if it has a specific opening strategy, a matchup it wants to exploit before the opponent adjusts, or a defense that performs better after it has watched the opposing offense. Those are coaching judgments, not fixed rules. The coin-toss choice should match the team’s plan, not simply follow the most popular option.
What coaches weigh before choosing
The toss decision is brief, but a useful choice reflects the game plan. Coaches and captains can consider several factors before deciding whether to take the opening possession or save the choice for the second half.
- Offensive strengths: A team with a sharp opening script may want the first possession. A team that values the chance to score on both sides of halftime may prefer the later choice.
- Defensive readiness: If the defense is prepared to open the game and force a punt, letting the opponent receive first may be acceptable. If the defense is likely to struggle early, getting the ball first could help limit the damage.
- Weather and field direction: Wind, rain, snow, sun, and stadium design can affect passing, kicking, visibility, and comfort. Directional choices may matter more when conditions are uneven between ends.
- Score and game context: A team expected to trail may value an early chance to score. A team confident in its ability to control the game may value the planned second-half start.
- Opponent tendencies: Coaches may consider how well the opponent starts games, how it handles pressure, and whether its offense is especially dangerous on scripted opening drives.
- Special teams: Kickoff coverage, return ability, and the likely starting field position can influence how attractive each sequence looks.
These factors should be weighed together. For instance, a strong offense might favor receiving first, but severe wind in the second half could make the later choice more valuable. The goal is not to find one rule that works in every game; it is to choose the sequence that best fits the conditions and matchup.
Does deferring guarantee a “double dip”?
No. Deferring can set up a chance to score before halftime and then score again on the first possession after the break, but it does not guarantee either drive. A team may go three-and-out, turn the ball over, or run out of time before scoring in the first half.
Even a strong first-half finish may not lead to a second-half scoring drive. The opponent can adjust at halftime, make a stop, or force a turnover. The “two-for-one” idea describes the timing of potential possessions, not a guaranteed scoring advantage.
There is another detail many fans overlook: the team must have a possession late enough in the first half to take advantage of the sequence. If it scores early and the opponent then has several possessions before halftime, the two drives will not feel like one continuous burst. The possible benefit depends on the game clock and the flow of possession.
Common misconceptions about deferring
“The team that defers gets the ball twice in a row”
Not necessarily. The team that defers usually gets the second-half choice and may receive the opening kickoff after halftime. It does not automatically receive two consecutive possessions. The opponent can have the ball between the first-half drive and the second-half kickoff, and game events can change who has possession.
“Deferring means the team is giving away the ball”
Deferring gives the opponent the first choice, not a permanent right to possession. The opponent generally chooses the first-half option, and the deferring team retains its choice for the second half. The practical result often is that the opponent receives first and the team that deferred receives after the break.
“The toss winner can choose anything it wants”
The winner must select from the options allowed by the rules for that competition. The other team then receives the remaining choice or choices. A captain cannot simply demand a particular possession sequence without following the coin-toss procedure.
“Every league handles the toss exactly the same way”
The core strategy is familiar across many forms of football, but procedures can differ by level and rule set. The number of available choices, how captains communicate them, and what happens after unusual events may not be identical. That is why coaches teach the exact procedure used in their competition.
How to make the decision in a real game
If you are a captain or coach, keep the choice simple and connect it to the game plan. A short pregame discussion can prevent hesitation when the referee asks for the decision.
- Confirm the options. Know the coin-toss procedure for your league and what the referee will ask the captain to select.
- Review the opening plan. Decide whether the offense specifically wants the first drive or whether the team prefers the chance to receive after halftime.
- Check the conditions. Consider wind, precipitation, sun, and which direction the teams will face. Do not assume conditions will be identical at both ends.
- Account for the opponent. Think about the opponent’s opening offense, return game, and ability to score late in the first half.
- State the choice clearly. Use the correct wording, especially if the plan is to defer rather than select a first-half option.
- Prepare for the result. If the opponent receives first, the defense should be ready to open the game. If your team receives first, the offense should know its initial calls.
A practical point that prevents confusion: make sure the captain’s wording is unambiguous. If the intended plan is to take the second-half choice, the captain should say “defer” rather than casually saying “kick,” which can communicate a different selection. Coaches can rehearse the exchange so the team does not lose its intended option through a misunderstanding.
What happens if a team scores before the second-half kickoff?
The planned second-half choice does not depend on the score. If the team that deferred is behind at halftime, it can still use its second-half choice to receive, if that is the best decision. If it is leading, it can still choose to receive or use another available option under the rules.
A touchdown or field goal late in the first half can make the following possession especially important, but the score does not create a special right to the ball. Kickoff procedures after scoring and at the start of a half follow the competition’s rules. The team’s coin-toss choice is part of that structure, not a bonus possession earned by scoring.
Similarly, a team that chooses to receive at the start of the game usually leaves the opponent with the choice to start the second half. Coaches should plan for both halves rather than assuming the first-half decision controls every later kickoff.
Why the strategy remains popular
Deferring appeals to coaches because it offers a clear, planned opportunity to control the start of the second half. It can line up well with a late scoring drive, a halftime adjustment, and a prepared opening sequence. The choice also keeps the team from having to decide immediately whether it wants to receive or kick when the toss is won.
But popularity should not be mistaken for a universal advantage. The best option depends on the offense, defense, opponent, weather, and game plan. A team that has a strong opening drive may rationally choose to receive, while another may prefer the second-half opportunity.
The key is to understand exactly what is being postponed. A team that defers saves its choice; it does not save a kickoff or guarantee extra possession. Once that distinction is clear, the reasoning behind the decision—and the situations where another choice makes sense—is much easier to follow.
Football teams usually defer to keep their choice for the second half, often so they can receive the kickoff after halftime. The appeal is the chance to score late in the first half and then attack again, but neither possession guarantees points.
Before the next game, watch which team gets the first choice and how it handles the opening possession. Remember that why do football teams defer the kickoff is really a question about strategy and timing—not about delaying the kickoff itself.