Question Number: 12112

Law 1- The Field 1/28/2006

RE: Masters Adult

Stephen Adam of Duneidin, New Zealand asks...

I appreciate that for a ball to be out of play it has to wholly cross the line, my question what defines the line? Is it the inside edge of the marked line or the outside edge of the line, considering that the painted line on the pitch can be up to 50mm wide or more.

Also where can I find a comprehenisve set of the rules for playing in the masters grade, which is over 35 years old here in New Zeland.
Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Don't know about your second question but the ball is out of play when ALL OF THE BALL CROSSES ALL OF THE LINE. Likewise, when coming back into play, any part of the line counts.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Stephen,
the boundrylines are about 5 inches wide legal width and are considered as part of the area they encompass. As long as the ball has ANY contact with any part of that 5 inch space that ball is in play. The ball can overhang the line and appear outside but if the curve of the ball breaks that 5 inch plane (think of it as an invisable 5 inch wall) that ball is in play. As my colleague Ref Contarino states ALL of the ball must be completely outside the entire 5 inch boundrylines on the ground or in the air to ne out of play.

Field Markings LAW 1
The field of play is marked with lines.
These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries.
All lines are not more than 12 cm (5 ins) wide.

It is unfortunate we no longer have a New Zealand referee on site as
Gary Sebalja has not been heard from in quite some time. I suppose your best bet is to contact the local association and see if you can conect to a source from there?
Cheers
PS HI Gary drop us a line iff you are still out there?