Article 1 – Responsibility

The team responsible for the ball being out of bounds behind a goal line or being dead in the possession of a player on, above or behind a goal line is the team whose player carries the ball or imparts an impetus to it that forces it on, above or across the goal line, or is responsible for a loose ball being on, above or behind the goal line.

Article 2 – Initial Impetus

a. The impetus imparted by a player who kicks, passes, snaps or fumbles the ball shall be considered responsible for the ball’s progress in any direction even though its course is deflected or reversed after striking the ground or after touching an official or a player of either team (A.R. 6-3-4-III; A.R. 8-5-1-II, VI and VIII; and A.R. 8-7-2-I-IV).
b. Initial impetus is considered expended and the responsibility for the ball’s progress is charged to a player:
1. If that player kicks a ball not in player possession or bats a loose ball after it strikes the ground
2. If the ball comes to rest and that player gives it new impetus by any contact with it, other than through forced touching (Rule 2-11-4-c).
c. A loose ball retains its original status when there is new impetus.