Question Number: 35164

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 10/17/2023

RE: Rec Under 15

Richard Hart of SSI, GA United States asks...

During the corner kick the ball follows the end line, never fully ob, then strikes the crossbar and falls into the field of play. Was this a successful corner kick? If not, is it a retake or a goal kick?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Richard
As the ball was put into play from the corner kick and as the ball did not leave the leave of play then play continues.
It would only be a goal kick if the ball fully crossed the goal line before hitting the crossbar.

I once saw a corner kick hit the near post and rebound back to the kicker which became a double touch infringement. I saw recently a corner kick hitting the top of the cross bar on an in swinger kick and it bounced out of play for a goal kick.
Had it rebounded and stayed in play it is play on.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Richard ,
as described yes the kick kept the ball in play, remember the lines are part of the area that they encompass. For the ball to overhang the goal line on its way into the PA it is still in play for it to hit the crossbar, it is still in play.

ONLY if the ball is COMPLETELY outside into touch would it be out of play as noted should the corner kick player retouch the ball if it did rebound off the crossbar or post and no one else had yet played it that is a second touch infringement as an INDFK out!

If a legal corner kick occurs from with the corner ARC, there is generally no retake, only a new restart based on the ball going out into touch or a foul being called . UNLESS Some form of misconduct occurs prior to the corner where the referee may not have had time to halt the corner. But like any free kick once in play it's game on. Should the ball fully curl out on its' way to the PA, then curl back inside, a goal kick would be the restart
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Richard,

For a CK, the ball starts on the field. Therefore, the moment it is kicked and clearly moves, it's in play.

If the ball is following the end line, then unless either the AR or ref is on the goal line, it's difficult to tell if it stayed above the line (thus in play), or if it swerved out and back in.

If it swerves completely out, it's a goal kick. If it travels down the line and hits the crossbar, play continues - and if it hits the bar and goes straight out, goal kick.