To step on the lines - yes or no?

This will help you to remember whether it is OK or not to step on the lines!

1. All lines (50 mm wide) are part of the court.
2. The lines are part of YOUR playing area.

This means basically that the same line can be part of different playing areas. For example if "blue" GK and "yellow" GD step on the same transverse line, it is OK for both players to do that. It's just that the transverse line is considered to be part of the goal third in GK's case and centre third in GD's case.

Here are a few other examples to illustrate:

• A player who holds the ball and steps ON the side line but not outside is deemed to be on court.
• At a centre pass: a GD who is standing ON the transverse line, but with no part of the foot in the centre third, is deemed to be in the goal third as he/she should be.
• A WA who steps ON the line bounding the goal circle can do that without going offside.
• A centre positioning for the centre pass can have one or both feet touching the lines of the centre circle but no part of the foot outside of the centre circle line.*

(* However, when the whistle is blown the centre can take a step outside the circle as long as he/she does not break the footwork rule.)

Helpful notes on speeding up the restart of play (centre passes)!

It is the responsibility of all players in a team to take the centre passes! Sure, it is the centre that steps into the circle with the ball, but she/he can only do this when everyone else in her/his team is on the right side of the transverse lines. Otherwise the team may be penalised.

When a goal is scored, immediately sprint back to your starting position. You only have to be behind your transverse line. A foot on the line is ok since the line is considered to be part of your playing area. For tactical reasons there are some positions that are better than other and which you would seek depending on the opponents and your own team, but for now focus on speeding up the game.

Check the umpire’s arm to see the direction of the centre pass. It is common that the umpires during a high level game put down their arms when reaching the centre third.

Correct centre pass?

Some players, especially beginners, seem to have difficulties with conducting a basic centre pass so I thought it would be good to write something about it.

When you, as a centre, get the ball - step directly into and "wholly within" the circle. This means that no part of the feet should touch the court outside the circle (the line is part of the circle). Many players step or jump into the circle with both feet. This is normal and ok, but according to the rule book grounding only one foot is ok as well. That means that one foot can be in the air when the whistle is blown. 

However, being "wholly within" the circle is not necessary after the whistle has been blown. After the umpire signals the centre can take a step outside the circle if she/he wants. Pivoting with one foot outside the circle is also ok, as long as the footwork rule is obeyed.