Question Number: 14862

Law 14 - Penalty kick 2/18/2007

RE: Rec, Club High School

John Pranjic of Santa Maria, ca usa asks...

I was reading through the laws of the game and came across an interesting paragraph. When talking about penalty kicks there is a section that says if during a penalty kick if the ball both hits a post, and/or 2 or more posts, and/or the goal keeper then a goal is awarded. No where does it say that the ball has to cross the line? Am I reading this correctly??? I have never been over this in any of my referee classes and I can't ever remember seeing that even happen in any game I have reffed or watched.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi John,
Yes you are reading too little or too much here it is fairly straight forward
The bullet is part of the adjoining paragraph not a seperate point it refers to the possible action of the ball before crossing the goal line. It simply is a what if senario covering the rebound of the ball off a keeper or the wood work in any combination as the ball if moving is still active play!
When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or time has been extended at half-time or full time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if, BEFORE passing between the goalposts and under the crossbar:>the ball touches either or both of the goalposts and/or the crossbar, and/or the goalkeeper
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It's just there to make sure no own thinks the ball has to go over the line and score in accordance with Law 10 WITHOUT touching anything or anybody. What it SHOULD say is

When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or time has been extended at half-time or full time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if, before passing between the goalposts and under the crossbar (IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW10):

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Ball must also cross goal line and be under goal post and through both cross bars.