Question Number: 16769

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 9/18/2007

RE: Rec Under 11

Anthony Follett of Lake Stevens , WA Snohomish asks...

When a shot on goal is taken. If the ball bounces off of the top bar and then bounces off of the ground below the bar and out of the goal, is that considered a goal?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 10 says, "A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar ..."

You said it "bounces off the ground below the bar and out of the goal". If the goal was placed properly, so that the goal and the goalline are aligned vertically, then that would not count as a goal. The ball has to go completely across the line. Straight down under the bar would be on the line, not across it.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Ref Voshol is correct. NO GOAL!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Anthony,
the ball must pass COMPLETELY over the 5 inch goal line, under the crossbar and between the posts nothing less will do! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Since ALL of the ball did NOT cross over ALL of the line, no goal

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Could you see any daylight between the ball and the back of the goal line? If not, no goal (darned close, but no goal). Hope the assistant referee was in position to judge this - without that input, it is impossible to say, 99 times out of 100.