Question Number: 21597

Law 1- The Field 6/29/2009

Will Debrew of Ottawa, Canada asks...

Is the ball considered in the penalty box if it's on the 18 yr box line? (From a perspective that the ball has rolled onto the
line from outside the penalty box)

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The lines form part of the area they enclose. The penalty area (18 yard box) line, is considered to be part of the penalty area itself - so if the ball is on that line, then it is still considered to be in the penalty area, even if 95% of the ball is outside of the box and the other 5% is on or above the line.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

On the soccer field, the boundary lines are considered to be part of the area they encompass, be it the penalty area, goal area etc. If ANY portion of the ball is in contact with or over any part of the penalty area boundary lines, the ball is considered to be inside the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Yes. And for your information, when the goalie is completely outside his penalty area but any part of the ball is still above the lines marking the area, it is still NOT a hand ball. In soccer it is all to do with the position of the ball. Not so in basketball. Gene