NFHS vs USSF: Goal Being Scored
 

In the NFHS soccer rule book, it states Rules 1.4.1 Situation D: During play, a goal gets moved back off the goal line (away from the field), and the entire ball passes beyond the goal line, but does not pass beyond the goal posts and under the cross bar because the goal is not in its proper position. A goal is awarded. Ruling: Correct decision. The goal shall be assumed to be in the proper position.

That seems pretty clear to me, that the LINE is the basis for the goal to be judged.

However, in USSF, Law 10 states Referees should signal a goal only when it is absolutely clear that the ball has wholly crossed the goal line, beneath the crossbar and between the goal posts.

I haven't seen any ATR's or Position Papers that states anything differently, unless I overlooked them. So is the below comment a fair assessment?

If both elements (goal and line) are present, you have to adhere to the Law. So if the goal happens to be a foot in front of the line, and the ball crosses over the plane of the goal posts and crossbar but NOT over the line, it can't be a goal. The same goes for the opposite. If the goal is a foot behind the line and the ball completely crosses the line but not completely through the posts and crossbar, it's NOT a goal.

If a line isn't present, then you the Law applies to the goal only and vice versa if there is a line and no goal.

I think you're trying to read too much into it.

The point of the wording of the rule is not to imply what you seem to be thinking but simply to say that crossing the goal line 20' away from the goal or 15 feet above the goal is not a goal. It takes more than crossing the line to be a goal. It must cross the line into the goal itself. But it also doesn't assume some odd situation where the goal has been displaced. It assumes the normal placement of the goal.

Read it like this **underlined and italicized words added by me**... Referees should signal a goal only when it is absolutely clear that the ball has wholly crossed the goal line, beneath the level of the crossbar and between the lines of the goal posts..

All you need to know is...

For all levels/associations of soccer?

I would think yes.

Again, most rules are not written with the consideration that a 1 in a million scenario might occur.

Well, Cameron, perhaps some of the case plays are :rolleyes:

But, yes, in this case common sense if nothing else, prevails. The goal line is clearly marked, as a referee, we know where the goal SHOULD be....If the ball crosses the goal line completely over an area in which the goal SHOULD be stationed, count the goal -- regardless of FIFA or NFHS level game.