Question Number: 25323

Law 18 - Common Sense 8/18/2011

RE: Rec Under 19

Leah of Thornton, ON Canada asks...

Hi,
I was wondering is it possible to score a goal from the ground. The player had shot at the goal missed and in the process had fallen to the ground very close to the net. The ball was passed to her and she then kicked the ball into the net. The referee then said the goal didn't count. Was this the right call?
Thank you for your time,

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

If the decision is as you say, then the referee has made a blatant error in law.

There is absolutely no reason to penalise a player for kicking the ball while on the ground - unless she's committed some other foul.

For instance, if the kick is made with studs showing it could be considered playing in a dangerous manner. If the ball was passed to her, it may also be possible that she was in an offside position at this time.

Some referees do seem to think that it's an immediate free kick if somebody plays the ball from the ground - a number of players seem to as well, but this is incorrect.

Besides - isn't that exactly what a slide tackle is doing?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Leah
There is no restriction on how a player plays the ball. The only question about a player lying on the ground playing the ball is whether it is deemed to be playing a dangerous manner by the referee. The danger relates to whether an opponent can play the ball without kicking the player on the ground.
In the absence of any opponent as described the goal should have stood.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Oh, good grief!! That ugly myth about not being able to play the ball on the ground rears its head again, and bites another ref. Must be terribly contagious...sorry to hear the infection has spread to your fields.

Playing in a dangerous manner is an IDFK offense, but it does not include a player who simply plays the ball from a position while sitting or lying on the ground, assuming the play is not illegal (like deliberately handling the ball, or trying to head a free kick into play). This myth arose because a ref will and should call a player who is covering up a ball while on ground for PIADM if by covering up the ball or being tangled up with it, even accidentally, causes another player to not be able to play the ball safely without risk of kicking the player on the ball. Of course, this is not the only way PIADM can occur, but it is most common in youth recreational games.

Let me repeat: Playing the ball while sitting or lying on the ground is NOT an offense all by itself.

Should have been a goal. Please call your referee assignor and explain what happened so the referee can be educated.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 25374