scheidslijn

Scheidslijn, literally meaning “referee line,” is a Dutch term used to describe the boundary or line that a referee or match official uses to control play and apply rules. The word combines scheidsrechter (referee) and lijn (line). The exact meaning varies by sport and context, and it is not a single fixed technical term but a descriptive concept.

On the field, the scheidslijn may be a physical mark on the surface (such as chalk or paint) or an imaginary boundary defined by the officials’ positions and the ongoing play. Officials signal infringements and boundary crossings with whistles, hand signals, and positioning, indicating when the scheidslijn has been crossed or a rule is violated. Decisions affected by the scheidslijn include whether the ball has left the playing area, whether a player is in an offside position (buitenspel), and whether a foul has occurred or play should be resumed in a particular way.

In Dutch sports journalism and commentary, scheidslijn is also used more loosely to refer to the general tolerance or strictness of officiating in a game, or to describe the perceived boundary of what is allowed under the rules during a match.