Question Number: 15210

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 4/18/2007

RE: select High School

Ja of atlanta, ga dekalb asks...

If offensive player kicks ball into the box and it deflects off a defensive player and then into the goal, who is credited with the goal and/or the assist

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Usually the last attacker to have played or touched the ball. Of course this depends on the statisian.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The goal credit goes to the last attacker to touch the ball, unless of course it is ruled an own goal. If that happens then the "credit" goes to the defender, but won't count on their overall goals total.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

A goal is scored if the ball passes wholly under the cross bar and between the posts provided the Laws of the Game have not been infringed by the team scoring the goal. This is the extent of the referee's concern. He credits one goal, the time the goal is scored and includes that in his report. If the league requires the referee to note who scored the goal he includes that information as well.

Keeping statistics isn't in the referee crew's job description. That's left to the press, the statisticians, the team secretary, trainer, manager or whoever needs the information.