Law 9 : Ball in and out of Play

Law 9 : Ball in and out of Play

The ball is out of play:

  1. when it has wholly crossed the goal-line or touch-line, whether on the ground or in the air.

  2. when the game has been stopped by the Referee.

The ball is in play at all other times from the start of the match to the finish including:

  1. if it rebounds from a goal-post, cross-bar or corner-flag post into the field of play.

  2. if it rebounds off either the Referee or Linesmen when they are in the field of play.

  3. in the event of a supposed infringement of the Laws, until a decision is given.

Decisions of the International F.A. Board

  1. The lines belong to the areas of which they are the boundaries. In consequence, the touch-lines and the goal-lines belong to the field of play.