THE BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

Ball out of play

The ball is out of play when:
• it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or
in the air
• play has been stopped by the referees
• it hits the ceiling

Ball in play

The ball is in play at all other times, including when:
• it rebounds off a goalpost or crossbar and remains on the pitch
• it rebounds off the referees when they are on the pitch

Indoor pitch

The minimum height of ceilings is 4 m and is stipulated in the competition rules.

If the ball hits the ceiling while in play, the game is restarted with a kick-in
taken by the opponents of the team that last touched the ball. The kick-in is
taken from the point on the touch line nearest to the place on the ground
above which the ball hit the ceiling (see Law 15 – Position of kick-in).