Flag down, slow whistle, Team A is throwing the ball around the box trying to set up a play. A1 is pressured by B1 and steps outside the box trying to run around B1 and make a pass to A2 back inside the box.

The game I was watching last night was stopped as soon as A1 stepped outside the box. I questioned it to the people sitting near me (long-time knowledgable fans). They all agreed with the call. I looked it up in the rulebook and can't find anything that says to stop the game when the ball leaves the box with possession on a flag down. There are 10-12 other reasons listed for stopping the play, but leaving the box isn't one of them.

I was told the "spirit/intent" is to make sure Team A is still in attack mode. That may be, but it's not in the rulebook! Can anyone help me with this???

It's there, I'm goin out the door but when I get back I will cite rule. Look in Rule 7, flag down sitaution.

The book says to stop play when the ball leaves the "goal area". For us guys that haven't been around forever, that means the crease. I was told this morning that the names of the areas on the field were changed a few years ago and the editorial committee must have missed this one in the rulebook. I was told that what is now called the "attack" or "defensive" area (also known as "the box") used to be called the "goal area".

Not sure about the change. Read rule 4-15, that should help you understand.

Not sure what you're referring to in Rule 4-15. It talks about bringing the ball into the attack area, but has nothing to do with flag down situations.

Sorry bout the clarification, but its titled: "Section 15 Advancing the ball into the goal area" No different then rule 7. ;)

Based on that title, everything now adds up. But in the 2004 rulebook, its titled: "Section 15 Advancing the ball into the attack area", thus my confusion over the wording in Rule 7 where it talks about the goal area.

Thanks for taking the time to help me clarify this one!

I have a 2004 NFHS Rulebook and mine reads the way I posted.

I've heard somthin about a misprint and so they had to resend out books, maybe yours is one of them?

I have the NCAA book. Now its all really starting to make sense.

Well its all the same! lol :) I have the NCAA, I just assumed we were talking NFHS :/