Question Number: 24692

Law 1- The Field 3/15/2011

Scott Ashcroft of Pittstown, New Jersey USA asks...

I see this question & answer........On a corner kick the ball hit a tree limb that hung between the kicker and the goal deflecting the shot enough to change the balls angle then a player knocked it in. Was this ball out of bounds when it hit the tree limb?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney
No. Under USSF interpretations, the tree is a pre-existing condition and a ball that hits it remains in play. If the ball hits the tree and leaves the field, the restart will be for the team that knocked it out off the tree

What is the correct call if the soccer ball hits a football goal-post sometimes found behind the soccer goal and multi-use fields common at many high schools? And if different than then tree limb situation, what logic prevails?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
If the football goal posts are behind the goal line then the ball is out of play and the normal restart applies either a goal kick or a corner kick. If the post is overhanging the field of play or attached to the existing goal frame then that is a pre-existing conditions with USSF's advice applying as per Referee Contarino's answer. When the ball hits these non-regulation appurtenances it is deemed to be automatically out of play and the restart is in accordance with the Law, based on which team last played the ball.
Outside the US the advice would be based on the Laws of the Game only and what is 'best' for the game or what is agreed in advance before kick off. I think it would be unfair if a ball was patently going over the goal line either for a goal kick or a corner and it hits a pre existing condition, bouncing down advantageously for a forward to score. IMO the 'best' decision is to stop play and restart with a dropped ball.
What is vitally important is that teams are aware of what will happen should the situation arise.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No. When the ball hits the portion of a US football goalpost superstructure (usually above the crossbar) that overhangs the field, the ball out of play. Restart with a goalkick/or corner kick.

The difference between the two is that the tree limb is considered to be a natural part of the field (like a rock, twig, sprinkler head cover or a referee in the way). The tree limb is unlikely to create an unfair situation for the players. The extra bits around the soccer goals are defined as 'nonregulation appurtenances.' The superstructure surrounding the goal almost always will result in an unfair rebound and scoring opportunity.

Note: the referee should check to see if local rules of competition provide for overhanging branches or over head wires. Some call for play to stop and restart with a dropped ball.