Question Number: 21047

League Specific 3/27/2009

RE: select High School

Erol Chance of Pasadena, Texas usa asks...

In a shootout theres a start whistle and a ending whistle.
Does the ball have to across the goal line to be counted before the 2nd whistle
or is it like basketball where its as long as you get the shot off before the buzzer?
Case in point,An opponent hit a trickle slow shot and then the 2nd whistle blew. Our goalie pulled up and the ball bounced of the goal post and went in to win the game.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The player has to shoot before the 5 seconds is up and the whistle blows - the ball can enter the net after the whistle. The ball is live until it either is stopped by the goalkeeper, goes off the field either in the net or not, or when it's momentum is spent. The kicker cannot touch the ball again after kicking it.

It is up to the coach to make sure his/her players know how to conduct themselves at a shootout.