Question Number: 29755

Law 7 - Match Duration 9/30/2015

RE: High School Under 17

James Addie of Fort Knox, Ky USA asks...

When awarded a free kick and the clock is running, the kicker kicks the ball with 1.5 seconds remaining. If the ball enters the goal without being touched and the time expires prior to the ball entering, does the goal count?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi James
Once time has fully expired and the referee signals the end of play no further play is allowed. If the ball does not enter the goal before the whistle sounds no goal can be awarded.
In a USSF / FIFA game the timing of soccer is unlike NFHS or other sports with exact timing methods that end when time expires. Most referees in USSF / FIFA games would probably wait for the outcome of a kick before ending the game. Not so in NFHS soccer.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Since you reference high school: Under NFHS rules, time is up when the clock runs out. Period. It's not like gridiron where we allow the play to end. If the ball isn't in the net when the clock hits zero and the buzzer sounds, it is not a goal.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

James,

It does not count. As indicated in Rule 7-1-4, a period ends at the expiration of time.