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IFAB Laws of the Game · Law 9

Law 9: The Ball In and Out of Play

When the whole ball has crossed a line, rebounds off match officials and goal frames, and the in-play/out-of-play distinction.

Key points of Law 9

Ball out of play

The ball is out of play when it has wholly passed over the goal line or touch line on the ground or in the air, or when play has been stopped by the referee.

Law 9 practice questions

3 questions on The Ball In and Out of Play, each with the correct answer and an explanation of the reasoning. These are drawn from the free question bank.

Question 1 Law 9 intro

A shot strikes the goalkeeper and rolls so that most of the ball — but not all of it — is beyond the goal line. The goalkeeper then claws it back. What is the correct decision?

A Play continues — the ball is out of play only when it has wholly crossed the line Correct answer
B A goal is awarded once more than half the ball has crossed the line
C A corner kick, as the ball had substantially crossed the goal line
D A dropped ball, as the position is unclear
Why Law 9: the ball is out of play only when it has wholly passed over the goal line or touch line, on the ground or in the air. Any part of the ball still overhanging the line means it is in play.
Question 2 Law 9 standard

A pass strikes the referee and deflects to a team-mate of the passer, with no change of possession and no promising attack resulting. What should the referee do?

A Allow play to continue Correct answer
B Stop play and restart with a dropped ball
C Stop play and restart with an indirect free kick
D Stop play and caution nobody, restarting with a throw-in
Why Law 9 stops play for contact with a match official only where a team starts a promising attack, the ball goes directly into the goal, or the team in possession changes. None applies here, so play continues.
Question 3 Law 9 standard

Which statement best summarises when the ball is in play under Law 9?

A The ball is in play at all times except when it wholly crosses a boundary line or the referee stops play Correct answer
B The ball is only in play between the referee's whistles
C The ball is out of play whenever any foul is committed
D The ball is out of play if it touches any match official
Why Law 9's whole principle is that the ball stays in play by default — it is out of play only when it wholly crosses a goal line or touchline, or when the referee stops play for any reason.

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