Question Number: 24246

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 10/28/2010

RE: Varsity High School

Sonny Usher of Cheraw, SC USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23354

On a corner kick, the rolls across the top of the goal and fall onto the field. Is the ball considered out of bounds or play on? Some refs, in this state stops the play for a goal kick and other signal to play on. I say play on but I want to know for sure. Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The ball isn't out of play until it has wholly crossed the goal line. Assuming the goals are constructed properly, the crossbar will be directly above the goal line. Thus, if the ball is directly above or on top of the crossbar, then it's directly above the goal line, meaning it's still in play.

A goal kick would only be awarded if, for instance, the ball has curved out then back before rolling across the crossbar - in this case, if the referee doesn't have assistant referees and isn't on the goal line then it can be difficult to judge properly.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

On some high school fields, the US football goalposts are next to the soccer goals. If the ball touches only the soccer goal, the ball remains in play (the goals are set on the line which is part of the field of play). If, however, the ball touches part of the US football goalpost, it is out of play.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Sonny
While the ball is rolling along the top of the crossbar it is not out of play as all of the ball has not fully crossed the goal line. However the referee has to consider how it got there. If the ball fully left the field of play before making contact with the cross bar then it is out of play and the restart is a goal kick. If it did not then play should continue.
It is a very rare occurrence as normally the ball will make contact once with the cross bar and rebound either into or out of play. If the referee is unsure due to his positioning or due to the fact that he does not have an assistant to view the flight of the ball IMO the best decision is to allow play to continue if it falls into play.