Question Number: 17156

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 10/7/2007

RE: rec Under 9

Jim Van Schaick of Baldwin, NY usa asks...

today, the ball was called out of bounds. it was in the goal keeper's possession, and within the field of play. the goal keeper's back foot touched the goal line. i claimed that in bounds or out was determined by the position of the ball, but the ref insisted that the ball was out for a corner kick because the goalie touched the endline with her foot. help.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I hope you misunderstood the referee. No referee should get this wrong. It's where the BALL is not the body as you state. Since this was Rec under 9 maybe you didn't have a certified referee or a football (pointy type) referee helping out

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Jim, the only way we can help here is to ask you to PLEASE contact the referee's assignor and tell him what you told us. That is the only way to help the referee correct their incorrect assertion. Good luck!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Jim,
While I do not like to see coaches argue wth young referees
nearest help you refer this matter with the referee assignore educator within your league and hopefully this referee can be reeducated. Plus get your certification as well you are spot on, the WHOLE of the ball must be COMPLETELY over the boundrylines. Any contact be it in the air or onthe ground if the curve of the ball overhangs or contacts the 5 inch line invisable wall extending upward it is within that field of play. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Jim you are correct. Be happy in being correct. To be correct and try telling any referee you are correct is never a good thing because you teach your players the wrong way to offer correction. Writing us is a right way of offering correction because you may then print our response and the reasons we offer to validate our opinions and submit them to your league for corrective action to be taken. When you mention to the referee something differing from that referee's opinion you have forgotten two things about this Game, you are in the technical at the referee's pleasure and the referee is right.

Regards,