Question Number: 19788

Law 13 - Free Kicks 8/20/2008

Jake Gillespie of , asks...

hey guys so you know the law about the ball in and out of play that the ball must completely cross the line.

how about goal kicks? is it the same deal.. like does the ball have to complete cross the
18 yr box line?

what about the ball coming towards a keeper in the box.. if the ball is located on the line and the goalie picks it up is it considered a hand ball

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

In soccer, for the ball to leave ANY area it must completely cross that areas boundary line. The boundary line is considered to be part of its area

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Jake, the ball is still in the penalty area if any part of it touches any part the penalty area, which include the lines. That means the goalie may play it with his hands if any part of the ball is inside of the plane of the outside part of the lines of the penalty area. Similarly, the ball must go beyond the penalty area to be in play. That means the ball must cross the outside of the 18 yard line or the outside of the sides of the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The lines are part of the area they bound. Yes, the ball must completly cross the line for it to be out of that area. Ball must completly cross touchline to be out of play for a throwin. Yes, the ball must completly cross goal line for it to be out of play for a kickoff (goal), corner kick, or goal kick. Yes, the ball must be completly over the line bounding the penalty area for it to be in play on a goal kick.