Question Number: 30679

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/20/2016

RE: High School

Troy Foland of Lavale, MD United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30159

More about Leaving field of play . A Defender has trapped and is shielding the ball in their own corner. Attacker could toe poke it out but the attacker leaves field and pokes ball between defender's legs to attacker two. Ref allowed play to continue. Same team also ran outside touchline around defender's to avoid blocks on the touchline when playing wall passes. Should these have been called?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Troy, as indicated by my colleagues, whether this is a game played under NFHS rules or FIFA laws, the referee was correct in not penalising players for leaving the field as part of normal play.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Troy
FIFA / USSF games do not differ from NFHS in these situations. Players are entitled to leave the field of play as part of playing movement so there is nothing wrong in going around an opponent in the corner off the FOP to play to challenge nor going over a sideline to make a wall pass. Both are perfectly legal.
In the corner situation I would encourage players to do that as many times the defender ends up fouling the attacker with an illegal push or charge from the rear. It is a habit and mindset thing to stay behind the opponent.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Troy, What you indicate above is permitted in high school because the players left the field to make plays on the ball that is inbounds. In high school, this is considered as the normal course of play which is permitted by NFHS Rule 12-8-1a. By the way, I once liven in Frostburg and have many fond memories of the restaurants in Lavale. I hope that all is going well there and your team has a successful high school season.

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