The ball remains in play from the beginning of each playing period to the end of that period, except when:
- The ball leaves the field by entirely crossing a goal line or touch line (this includes when a goal is scored); or
- Play is stopped by the referee (for example when a foul has been committed, a player is seriously injured, or the ball becomes defective).
Note that when the ball is in play it remains in play if it rebounds from a goalpost, crossbar, corner flag, referee or assistant referee, assuming that they are on the field of play at the time.
When the ball is in play players may play the ball, contest the ball, and goals may be scored. Players are liable to punishment for committing either fouls or misconduct. Substitutions may not occur whilst the ball is in play.
Read more about this topic: Ball In And Out Of Play
Famous quotes containing the word play:
“Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence?”
—Bible: Hebrew, 1 Samuel 21:15.
A King, said of David who pretends to be mad.
“If it be true that good wine needs no bush, ‘tis true that a
good play needs no epilogue.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)