Law 9: The Ball In and Out of Play Explained
Law 9 defines precisely when the ball is in play and when it is out of play. It clarifies that the ball must wholly cross the goal line or touch line to be out of play, and that a ball hitting the post or crossbar remains in play.
Key Points
- 1The ball is out of play when it wholly crosses the goal line or touch line.
- 2A ball on the line is still in play — the entire ball must cross the line.
- 3The ball is out of play when the referee stops play.
- 4A ball that hits the post, crossbar, corner flag, or referee and stays on the pitch is in play.
- 5Play is not stopped simply because the ball hits the referee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ball in or out of play when it is on the line?
The ball is in play. The Laws state that the ball must wholly cross the line for it to be out of play. If any part of the ball is on or over the line, the ball is still in play.
What happens if the ball hits the referee and goes into the goal?
Under the current Laws, if the ball touches the referee and enters the goal, goes out of play, or a promising attack is started, the referee must stop play and restart with a dropped ball. This change was introduced in 2019 to address situations where the referee's involvement changed the course of play.
Is the ball in play if it hits the corner flag post?
Yes. The corner flag post is considered part of the field. If the ball hits the corner flag post and stays within the playing area, it remains in play.
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