Coupla questions from a 2nd year...

[referee99]

Question 1:

When a ball is hit towards an unplayable area... say, over the scorers table. Do you whistle play dead upon entry into this area ("breaking the plane"), or wait until the ball makes contact with the area?

(I ask because I have received conflicting 'approaches' to this)

Question 2:

Why would I be told by a veteran official that it is not a violation to contact the net outside of the poles? I think someone told me that last year and then again yesterday. My rules book says that it is a foul to contact the net , the poles, or support wires, with no distinction for whether it is outside the poles. Did this rule change at some point?