Soccer Rules Practice Exam

Which term is used when all of the ball must be outside all of the sideline?

1. Hand ball

2. Dead ball

3. Clear

4. Ball in and out of play

The correct answer is: Ball in and out of play

The term used when all of the ball must be outside all of the sideline is "Ball in and out of play." This phrase is crucial in soccer as it clearly indicates whether the ball is considered in play or out of play based on its position relative to the field boundaries. For a ball to be out of play, it must fully cross the sideline, either on the ground or in the air. This is important for decisions related to throw-ins, corner kicks, or goal kicks, which are only awarded when the ball is fully out of play. In contrast, the terms hand ball, dead ball, and clear have specific meanings that do not relate directly to the ball's position concerning the sidelines. Hand ball refers to an infraction involving a player intentionally handling the ball with their hands or arms, dead ball indicates a stoppage in play for various reasons, and clear typically refers to a player kicking the ball away from danger, rather than addressing the ball's status regarding the field's boundaries.