Question Number: 35809

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 11/23/2024

RE: 13U Select

David Welch of Finksburg, Maryland United States asks...

My daughter to a corner kick. The corner kick never hit the ground or touched another player. The ball once kicked, hooked over the end line, came back into play and somehow ended up in the net (very windy today). Goal, right? The ref said it was out of bounds in the air before it went into the net. But that the ball can go over the end line as long as it touch out of bounds. What is the correct ruling of was that right?

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Hi David,

The referee was correct. The ball is out of play when it has completely crossed a goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air.

This is covered in NFHS Rule 9-1-1a.

Please note the ball must be completely outside a goal line or touch line. If any part of the ball was over the goal (end) line and never completely got outside the goal line in the situation you indicate, the goal would have been good.

I do hope your team has a successful season and future games are not as windy.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi David
Correct decision by the referee as the ball was out of bounds from your description.

Once all of the ball crosses the plane of the goal line either on the ground or in the air, as in this case, it is out of play.

The restart is a goal kick.