Question Number: 28164

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 2/7/2014

RE: Under 13

Jordan Johnson of Rockwall, Texas United States of America asks...

When we scored a goal the referee said it didn't count as a goal because it bounced in and out of the goal. Is this true?


P.S: We play indoors.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jordan
If all of the ball crosses all of the goal line then a goal should have been awarded. It makes no difference if the bounce of the ball subsequently takes it out of the goal.
Here is an example of where a goal should have been awarded at the highest level
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5QlBHF6ib8
As you can see all of the ball clearly crossed the line and the ball bounced out because of the spin on it.
Where there is uncertainty the goal should not be awarded. If the referee in your game did not award the goal because he was unsure and he did not see the ball cross all of the line then that would have to be accepted rather than because it "bounced in and out of the goal".

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Jordan,

I know that, as a referee, sometimes when a ball bounces out of the goal it can be extremely difficult to tell if it actually entered the goal or if it rebounded off the goalpost. I've refereed in centres where the goal has a bar across the back, not more than 1 yard behind the crossbar. If it hits that at pace, the eye can't follow fast enough. So the referee can only give what he sees.

But, if the referee knows it has wholly crossed the line then a goal is to be awarded. Whether the ball remains in the goal, hits the net (it doesn't have to), or bounces out is utterly irrelevant.