Question Number: 22941

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 3/13/2010

RE: Rec Under 10

Jim of Milwaukee, WI USA asks...

I am unclear as to the rule for a goal to be scored. By the entire ball 'crossing' the goal line, does that mean completely past the imaginary plane the full thickness of the white line, or is that plane considered to be in the goal (ie what if the base of the ball is touching green in the goal and the side of the ball is above white)?
Thanks for your help!

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If any part of the ball is on or above the goal line, it is not a goal. All of the ball must be past all of the goal line.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

All the lines on the field are considered exactly the same. Remember, the line that's between the goalposts is the exact same as the rest of the goal line, that stretches from corner to corner.

That is to say, we consider an imaginary plane extending up from the entire width of the line, and it is only when the ball is wholly PAST that line that the ball is considered out of play - or a goal, if it passes between the goal posts and under the crossbar.

If the base of the ball is in the goal but a part of the ball is still above the line, then the ball is in play.

This is partly why, unless you have plenty of practice or are exactly in line, it can be very difficult to tell if a ball is on the line or out as referees need to make a judgment, often from an imperfect position, regarding a matter of centimetres or less.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jim
If the base of the ball is touching green in the goal and the side of the ball is above white then that is not a goal as all off the ball must be over the goal line.