Question Number: 20367

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 10/26/2008

RE: CYO soccer Under 15

george of Schererville, Indiana USA asks...

If a player kicks the ball and it hits the botom of the crossbar and goes in, is it still a goal. Where on this site can i find the rules and regulation of this sort of matter.

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Yes it is. Law 1 tells us that the crossbar is the same width as the goal line which means the ball is still in play when it hits the crossbar. Law 10 tells us a goal is scored when all of the ball crosses over all of the goal line, under the crossbar and between the goal posts provided no infringement of the Laws Of The Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal. so, if the ball hits the crossbar or goal posts for that matter, and then crosses over the goal line in accordance with law 10, a goal has been scored. You should also note that the top of the crossbar is also part of the field and if the ball hits the top of the crossbar it is still in play until it crosses completely over the goal line.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

As long the ball COMPLETELY crosses the goal line under the crossbar at some point after striking the crossbar a goal is quite possible. The referee or AR MUST see it to award it!
The key though is it is often such a FAST bang-bang off the crossbar off the ground (the ball often has backspin) and out the referee or AR one is unsure the entire ball had crossed the goal line. While a slow motion camera can catch it, not likely in a fast visual in a recreational game will the official be so sure. If the ball passes unnoticed over then out thus forever it is out.
Cheers