Question Number: 19735

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 8/12/2008

RE: U11 Select/Competivie Under 11

Angela of Vancouver, wa USA asks...

During a game, one of our players had a corner kick. His kick was in the air and had curved out and then back in and another player did a header for the goal, which was not counted. The ball never hit the ground from take off, but it was said since it curved outside after lift off, that it was out of bounds. Is this correct?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The ref was correct. Law 9 says, in part, 'The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air'.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

100% correct!
All boundrylines are 5 inches wide invisable windows extending straight up into the sky forever. The ball breaks through that 5 inch barrier to arrive completely outside into touch, that ball is OUT of play as on a corner kick the ball will revert to a goal kick since the attacking team last touched the ball before it left the field over the goal line. It is a SPECIFIC point of law that a ball cannot be a little bit out or in or swing either way, it IS OUT or it IS IN!

If in the opinion of the referee any part of the ball is in contact with the boundryline that ball is considered to be inside that area it contains. ALL of the ball must be seen to be outside and not in contact or overhang any part of the 5 inch touchlines or goal lines ONCE this occurs play is dead and restarted based on who touched it last!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi ANgela. In soccer, unlike some other sports, once the ball crosses either the goal line or the touch line, either in the air or on the ground, it is out of play so the referee was correct in calling off the goal. Play stopped the moment the ball crossed all the way over the goal line. The proper restart would be a goal kick for the other team.