Question Number: 31039

Law 10 - Determining the Outcome of a Match 11/20/2016

RE: Under 11

Philip of PITTSFORD, New Yock U.S.A asks...

If the ball hits both posts and then bounces out is it a goal?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Philip
It is only a goal if ALL of the ball crossed ALL of the goal line. It is unlikely that when the ball hits both posts (with no contact by a player in between) that all the ball crossed the line. So at a guess I would say no goal. Rarely is it ever a goal yet it could happen depending on outside factors such as wind, strange bounce of the ball, deflection by a player standing behind the line after it hits one post etc

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Philip,
based solely on your description I would probably say no goal but add an asterisk of a slight maybe it could be!
The only way a goal is legally scored is the team scoring has not infringed upon the LOTG and the ball has completely crossed the goal line under the crossbar and between the posts.

The goal line is the SAME max 5 inch width as the posts so it is certainly possible for the ball to hit one post and roll across to the other post and remain in contact or overhang some portion of that 5 inch goal line on its journey back into the FOP instead of COMPLETELY crossing into the netted area.

There is also the slight chance due to spin or wind or deflections the ball might at a certain point completely cross the goal line and legally a goal IF it is seen and recognized as such by those officiating. At the elite level they have sensors preventing a missed goal if the official being obstructed or unsighted on situations where a ball completely crosses the goal line for a goal but may appear to have not done so and is brought out or deflects back into the FOP. The video below shows many MISSED goals by the officials because they were NOT in good position to evaluate if the ball HAD indeed crossed the goal line.

Cheers https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+video+of+soccer+referee+missing+goals+that+should+have+counted&&view=detail&mid=6A94F0E3E5E1B3941F006A94F0E3E5E1B3941F00&rvsmid=6A94F0E3E5E1B3941F006A94F0E3E5E1B3941F00&fsscr=0&FORM=VDMCNL

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Philip,
I think you may be getting distracted by a side issue here. Whether the ball hit either or both posts really doesn't matter. As my colleagues have said, in normal circumstances there is a greater probability that it was not a goal but there's no way to be certain just going on the facts you have stated.

The only pertinent question to consider is did the whole of the ball cross the whole of the line? If it did, it's a goal but if not, then no goal was scored.