Ball in and Out of Play

According to the LOTG, the ball is out of play when:

• it has wholly passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air
• it hits an official, and then: (1) starts a promising attack; (2) scores a goal; or (3) changes possession to the opposite team
• play has been stopped by the referee

“Wholly passed over” the line means that the back edge of the ball has crossed completely past the outside edge of the painted line (see the illustration).