Question Number: 18616

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 3/25/2008

RE: rec/middle school Under 13

soccer mom of Madison, Ga USA asks...

If the ball is in the air and crosses the sideline in the air but a player bicycle kicks the ball back saving it from hitting the ground outside the line and the ball goes to the ground back on the field...Is it in or out?

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

If the entire ball has crossed the touchline, it is out. There is an "imaginary" plane the goes up from the touchline into the air into infinity (I sound like the character from Toy Story....) The LOTG state that when the whole of the ball crosses the touchline or goal line, on the ground or in the air.... This is why a goal can be scored when the ball is flying in the air and hits the back of the net. The goal is scored once it has wholly crossed over the goal line (on the ground or in the air) and no infringment to the LOTG have occurred.

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Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Out. (so long as the entire ball has crossed the entire line the ball is out from that point on.)

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It's out as long as all of the ball crossed over all of the line in the air.

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