Question Number: 15082

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 3/30/2007

RE: Varsity High School

Fred of Normal, Illinois USA asks...

Hello,

I have two questions...

1. There is a black and yellow team. Player 1, for black takes a shot, and her teammate dives to the ground to get out of the way. (She ducks and covers) Player 1's shot deflects off player 2 and goes into the goal. There was no attempt to deflect or score for player 2. The opposite was true. She was trying to get out of the way. Who should be awarded the goal? I know there is no rule but I am wondering what is commonly done.

2. Black and yellow team again....
Black takes a corner it deflects off a yellow player, then deflects off a black player, and then goes off another yellow player and into the net. All players in the box (that the ball went off) were heading it. It was a very bang-bang play. The ref said "own goal" but said the judgment was to us. Who should be awarded the goal?

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Any deflection of the ball from a shot by a teammate #1 off a teammate #2 it becomes #2's goal! Own goals are tough as often the ball might have wound up in the back of the net but again last teammate touching ball could get credit if it is not considered an own goal. Soccer is a team sport an assist is every bit as good as any goal! And a W in the win column feels good no matter who gets credit!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Usually, the last person on the scoring team that touched the ball is awarded the goal

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Fred,

1. The last player from the scoring team to touch the ball should be awarded the goal. It may not seem fair, but that is really the best way to go about it.

2. Own goals are a bit trickier. Traditionally, you only credit a defender with an own goal if the ball either...

a. Was directed into the goal by the defender when the ball would have otherwise not gone into the goal. (i.e. the player tries to clear the ball over the goal line but slots it in the side netting.)
b. The defender while attempting to block a shot, significantly redirects the ball so that the goalkeeper or other teammates who would probably have kept the ball out of the goal can no longer do so.

An own goal should NOT be credited to a defender (and instead the goal should be given to the attacker who made the play) when a goalkeeper or defender deflects the ball into the goal while trying to make a play to keep it out of the goal. (i.e. the goalkeeper dives for the ball and gets finger tips to it, but it goes in anyway - or, if a hard shot is going in and a defender on the line jumps up to head the ball over the bar, but the ball sneaks in off the head anyway. )