Question Number: 14853

Law 1- The Field 2/16/2007

RE: Under 16

Charlie Pryke of HK, HK HK asks...

When is the ball in the penalty area?

Does all of the ball have to be inside or just on the line?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Charlie,
If any part of the ball breaks the plane of the boundryline of the penalty area that ball is considered to be inside that area.

If you look at the diagram in law 10 on the second page notice the ball as (no goal) for the first three times. Those locations are inside the penalty area (PA). While the ball is inside the PA no goal can be scored as it must completely exit the field of play for a legal goal,
If you could disappear the net and imagine the goal line as the 18 yard line parallel to it as the ball was coming into the penalty area all three positions as they are touching or overhanging the boundry lines that ball would be considered to be inside the penalty area. LAW 1 The field
Field Markings
The field of play is marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The penalty area boundary lines are part of the penalty area. So, if any part of the ball is touching any part of the lines, it's in the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Lines define boundaries. Therfor ball on line is in penalty area.