What is the effect of someone kicking the ball over the goal line in soccer?

Answer 1

There are several possibilities, depending on who kicked the ball and when. This answer will discuss all of those possibilities. It is important to note that the "goal line" spans the entire width of the field, not just that little bit inside the goal mouth.

Directly from a kick-off, corner kick, goal kick, penalty kick, or direct free kick: If the ball travels under the crossbar and between the goal posts of the opposing team's goal, the result is a goal. If the ball travels over the goal line of the opposing team but does not enter the goal, the result is a goal kick. If the ball travels over the kicker's own goal line, the result is a corner kick, whether of not it entered the goal (own-goals cannot be scored from these restarts).

Directly from an indirect free kick: If the ball travels over the goal line of the opposing team, the result is a goal kick, whether or not it entered the goal (goals cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick). If the ball travels over the kicker's own goal line, the result is a corner kick, whether of not it entered the goal (own-goals cannot be scored from an indirect free kick).

Directly from a dropped ball after it has touched the ground, or any other time the ball is in play other than listed above: If the ball travels under the crossbar and between the goal posts of the opposing team's goal, the result is a goal. If the ball travels over the goal line of the opposing team but does not enter the goal, the result is a goal kick. If the ball travels under the crossbar and between the goal posts of the kicker's goal, the result is a goal for the opposing team (an own-goal). If the ball travels over the goal line on the kicker's side but does not enter the goal, the result is a corner kick.