Question Number: 27151

Law 2 - The Ball 2/4/2013

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27128

I'm somewhat confused as to Law 2 on a ball bursting. It seems to say that on a penalty kick or kicks from the penalty mark, you only retake the kick if it doesn't touch any player, crossbar, or goal posts. If that's true, it doesn't seem fair, as the ball may have gone in after hitting a post, if it hadn't burst. I don't know why a retake of the penalty kick wouldn't be best.

Also, Law 2 seems to say that if the ball bursts AFTER being in play on a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in, that the restart is a dropped ball. That also doesn't seem fair to the side taking the kick or throw-in. I would think it would be fairer to allow a restart if the ball burst in mid air & use a dropped ball if it burst after hitting the ground or a player.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

There has been a change in the laws. The prior interpretation is that if a ball burst during a penalty kick, the restart was always a dropped ball. The modern approach is that if the burst occurs as the ball is first headed toward the goal, the penalty kick is retaken. If it occurs after striking the cross bar, goal post, or another player, the restart is a dropped ball.

Burst balls are extremely rare. So, the change may never affect any matches that we do.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
A burst ball, necessitating the game to be stopped, is extremely rare. More common is a ball that loses pressure and that might not be picked up immediately in which case play continues.
On the penalty kick as Referee Wickham states there has been a law change here in 2011 / 2012. When the ball bursts previously at a PK it was a dropped ball in all situation which was unfair. Now the PK is retaken if the ball bursts on the kick. Whether the referee can determine if the ball burst hitting the frame of the goal before entering the goal or after it entered the goal is IMO very difficult to determine. My advice unless the referee is 110+% certain then he should award the goal and the ball can be changed for the kick off restart. If however the ball bursts and it is still in play then play must be stopped and the restart is a dropped ball. That will be plainly obvious to everyone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZJt-30o0FE
In this situation the restart is a dropped ball from where the ball became defective

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hey Phil
That's exactly what Law 2 says
It is what it is