Question Number: 16929

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 9/27/2007

RE: Adult

phyllis of santa maria, ca usa asks...

If the goalie catches the ball behind the goal line (in the net area) is it a goal?

How about if they catch it ouside of the goal line and then the goalie falls back into the goal - is it 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, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal."

If the goalkeeper happens to be hanging onto that ball when it is completely across the line, her teammates aren't going to like her, because it's a goal for the opponents.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the ball has scored in accordance with Law 10, it doesn't matter how it got there. It's a goal.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Remember that it doesn't matter where the goalkeeper is or isn't. What is critical is the position of the ball. Is it completely over the goal line and under the crossbar or not. Yes? Goal. No? Continue playing. So a goalkeeper who falls into the goal with the ball has carried the whole ball over the goal line. Goal. If the goalkeeper catches the ball while the GK is behind the line, but the ball has not completely crossed the goal line - no goal. If GK is still in the field but his hands and more importantly all of the ball are over the goal line Goal!

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 17362