Question Number: 12219

Law 7 - Match Duration 2/18/2006

RE: High school Under 15

janae of Round Rock, Texas USA asks...

I was a ball catcher at my high schools varsitys game. It was tied 0-0. he other team was our end of the feild near he goal. There was less than a minute left. The other team was playing around with the ball and a girl crossed it, our goalie saved it but it rebounded of her and it went to an opponent. She kicked it just as the buzzer went off and she scored. (we have a scoreboard so that went off) by the time the buzzer ended the ball was in the goal. The Referee calles it as a goal. As a recreational (08) referee also i know that the whistle/buzzer goes off and play stops immediatly. i wasjust wondering if there are different rules in high school in this area.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The National Federation of State High School Associations Soccer Rules are specific here. When the time is kept on a stadium clock everything stops when that time expires. There should be no goal!

Unless, you knew that was coming didn't you, the referee is keeping time on the field and the person running the stadium clock has forgotten to stop his timer when he was told to do so by the referee before the match started.

Note: as referee (Grade 08) you would be remiss to, knowingly, end a match with the ball in flight towards goals...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

As a Grade 8, you can do something even better. Stay away from high school games!! From what you describe, they can't even follow their own rules. Should be no goal.