Question Number: 16002

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 7/12/2007

RE: Competitive Under 14

Arturo of South San Francisco, CA USA asks...

The ball bounces off the post of a properly placed corner flag onto the field.
Play should be stopped

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

i'm sorry what??? There is no question here as a starter...and you're statement seems totally untrue. So long as the whole ball did not cross the line making it out of play, then play should not be stopped if a deflects off of the post onto a corner flag and stays in play during this whole process.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

NO play continues. The ball has not left the fieldof play . The flag is considered same as goal post or crossbar part of the field of play. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Arturo,

I'm sorry that your opinion diverges from the laws of the game, but it does. Play is NOT stopped when it hits the corner flag, in fact it must continue until it leaves the field of play or the referee stops play. The occurance of the ball hitting the flag is not a cause for the referee to stop play.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The corner flag post is part of the field of play just like the goal posts, the crossbar the assistant referees and the referee. If the ball strikes any of those things and does not leave the field of play there should be no stoppage in the match.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

The ball is in play unless it completely crosses the touchline or goaline in the air or on the ground off the field of play, or the referee blows the whistle to stop play.