Question Number: 23209

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 4/29/2010

RE: Competitive Adult

Phil Fukushima of Kona, Hawaii USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22212

Looking for confirmation about a goal. The ball hit the crossbar, bounced down inside the goal line, and because of back-spin, bounced back into the field of play. Getting a lot of grief that it's physically impossible for the ball to have bounced in and then bounced out. Have you seen this happen?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I don't know if I've seen this happen exactly, but it could.

I've actually had 4 close calls over the last two weeks. Two in the same game on Sunday, with only one AR and she was at the opposite end of the field. (Since I had the same AR at all 3 games, I accused Katie of being the cause.) The first was on the ground, I could see a part of the line under the ball, but didn't see that it was completely across, so no goal. The next, the goalkeeper muffed a punt that went up and backwards. She's reaching for it, and I think either we're going to have an IFK for a second touch or she's going to miss and score an own goal. She grabbed it - and then her momentum carried her and the ball across the line. Goal.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

It absolutely can happen! I've seen it. But it's very hard to get a good angle to see it properly.

However, to test the theory, go a goal line near you and throw the ball at the ground with a ton of back spin. See how the ball bounces.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Phil
Yes most definitely this can happen and there are examples of this in UK football. The difficulty for the referee and the AR is being positioned to see it and then convince the teams of the correct decision either way.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The ONLY way to successfully sell such a call is if the AR is exactly in position on the goal line and sees all of the ball cross the line. Even then, the crew will get grief, but a properly positioned AR makes all the difference.

IF the referee and the AR cannot tell for sure, then it is NOT a goal. Guess work is not recommended here!