Rules question

[solo]

Back when I played football, I was taught that the options at the coin toss were:

1. Kick
2. Receive
3. Defend a goal

The first coach I can remember choosing to "defer to the 2nd half" was Lou Holtz.

When did this become an option? Has it always been an option?

 

[luckofirish8]

"defer to the 2nd half" is just another way of saying kick.

 

[solo]

"defer to the 2nd half" is just another way of saying kick.

Yes, I have pretty much seen that when a team defers to the 2nd half, they always end up kicking off to star the first half. When a team defers, does the other team then have the option to kick or receive in the first half? Not that this would happen, just wondering the spcifics of the rule.