Question Number: 29690

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 9/12/2015

RE: rec Under 15

Paul of Newbury Park, CA USA asks...

The Red team throws the ball in and it rolls along the touch line for ten feet and rolls out completely off the field not touching the line. The AR standing next to the ball signals for a throw in for Black as the ball was deemed in and then out.
What is the correct call?
What do you think?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

That is correct call! Black team ball PROVIDED the ball did not hit ground off field prior to rolling on the touchline. The ball is deemed to be on the field if it crosses the place of the line at all. Based on your description of the ball rolling 'along the touch line' it did that.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Paul,
think of the touchlines as a 5 inch wall of water extending straight up into the sky, if ....ANY... part of the ball can get wet, then the ball was IN play, if even for a split second! On the throw in by red, if in the opinion of the CR/AR it entered the FOP, thus last touched by them, then exited the FOP, last touched by them!
Solution? BLACK takes the throw in from where the ball COMPLETELY left the FOP. IF, the throw in was taken correctly, but never entered the FOP, under FIFA LOTG, it can be retaken! It sounds as if the ball was thrown along the line, hit just barely on the line, then rolled out. I believe in USA High school rules, the throw in goes to the other team! Remember the curve of the ball can be overtop the line without touching it! Also note if the throw in is incorrectly taken, it is awarded to the opposing team!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Paul
The answer lies in whether any part of the ball touched any part of the line of plane. If that happened then the ball was in play. If the ball touched the ground outside the line before touching the plane then it is a retake.

In the example it reads like the ball rolled along the line which puts it in play and thorn rolled out of play last touched by the Red thrower. Restart is a throw in to Black.