Author: Jim Allen

Handling

HANDLING VS. OFFSIDE — CAUTION?

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Question:
With reference to your recent answer regarding deliberate handling and offside:

A long forward pass is attempted from attacker A1 to attacker A2, who is in an offside position. Defender D1 deliberately handles the ball to prevent it from reaching A2. Defender D2 is near A2, with no other attacker in the vicinity. D2 would have easily controlled the ball, assuming that A2 does not interfere, but for D1’s handling. Should we really caution D1 for a tactical foul, since the handling did not break up an attack? In deciding on whether to caution D1, doesn’t the referee need to determine whether a legitimate attack is possible?

USSF answer (June 11, 2009):
The referee must do what is best for the game in any situation like this. However, if a player gets away with a blatant deliberate handling offense once, he or she will do it again. The intelligent referee will be able to figure out what will happen to their game if that goes on.

In addition, you have introduced a potentially significant element tin your scenario that was not present in the original situation — the caution for a tactical foul presumes that the foul was tactical and this is what the referee has to decide.  The issue you are raising — which must also be taken into account — is whether the foul was intended to be tactical even if, in fact, it turned out not to be tactical.  In other words, the defender may not have taken his teammate into account (didn’t know his teammate was so close, knew his teammate was close but was a klutz, whatever) and thus, in his mind, he was indeed attempting to stop the opponents’ attacking play.  After all, the misconduct is based as much on the clear intentions of the perpetrator as it is on the actual outcome.…

"Inventive" Refs

LYING DOWN ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS

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Question:
Can the player from the opposing team lay down on the ground in the path of a player to try and impede him? Is it a penalty if he does?

USSF answer (June 11, 2009):
Surely you jest! We find it hard to imagine a player lying down in the path of an opponent, much less trying to hinder or delay the opponent that way. Way too dangerous a thing to do. However, if a player were indeed crazy enough to do it, the foul would be playing in a dangerous manner, punishable with an indirect free kick for the opposing team at the place where the foul occurred. Or, as you suggest in your question, it could also be “impeding the progress of an opponent” (particularly an opponent so lacking in athletic ability as to be unable to jump over someone on the ground).…

Illegal Gamesmanship

DELAY OF THE RESTART OF PLAY

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Question:
Often times in the MLS I see a very frustrating tactic and I have seen this in the matches I referee. Players stand in front of the ball at free kicks, especially in dangerous areas. Often times because of the unpunished nature of the offense it also happens at midfield. Players often times want a quick restart and this prevents this tactic. I feel frustrated as a biased fan. I can’t imagine how frustrated players get and parents get at youth matches. I imagine that both sides are getting frustrated.
Since I feel like the enforcement of the law is not very consistent with the 7+7 memorandum I want to know how to prevent the tactic and when does it become a cautionable offense. What are the criteria for it to become cautionable? I know what the memorandum says but what sort of advice do you have on enforcing this law?

One example (from a biased Seattle fan) would be the incident where Riley was sent off in the LA Galaxy match. Shouldn’t the player who clearly “provoked” the confrontation receive a caution. Under the 7+7 memorandum provoking a confrontation by touching the ball after the referee has stopped play is one of the offenses of special concern of FIFA. I was surprised to find it was not in the week in review.

USSF answer (June 11, 2009):
We are fortunate to have input from Brian Hall, U. S. Soccer’s Manager of Assessment and Training.

First, let us address your question regarding the Riley situation. You are correct, the player who withheld the ball from Riley and, therefore, prevented Riley from putting the ball into play quickly should have been cautioned for delaying the restart of play. This exact subject was covered in U.S. Soccer’s “Week In Review 8” which can be found at http://www.ussoccer.com/referees/weekinreview.jsp.html (select week 8).

Explanation and video review of the subject are covered coinciding with Video Clip 2: Los Angeles at Seattle.

Now, to your broader question. Referees have been instructed and continue to receive guidance relative to delaying the restart and not respecting the required distance. In fact, the overall management of free kick restarts is covered as one of U.S. Soccer Referee Program’s main directives for 2009.

These directives can be downloaded at: http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_13172742.html. However, if you are watching the game worldwide, you will see referees elsewhere are facing the exact same challenges.

In the 2008-09 publication of the Laws of the Game, FIFA revised the wording relative to “distance” and free kicks. Check the new section FIFA has introduced to replace the old “Questions and Answers:” “Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees.” In this section, the term “distance” is defined:

“If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent is less than 9.15 meters from the ball intercepts it, the referee must allow play to continue.” It also states….

“If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is near the ball deliberately prevents him taking the kick, the referee must caution the player for delaying the restart.”

Key terms are “intercepts,” and “deliberately prevents.” Upon reading U.S. Soccer’s directive on “Free Kick and Restart Management,” you will see that “deliberately prevents” is defined as “lunging or advancing forward or toward the ball.” So, if a defender is less than 10 yards and he/she lunges or advances forward toward the ball and then makes contact with the ball, this player must be cautioned for delaying the restart. On the other hand, if an attacker takes a free kick and the defender is less than 10 yards but in view of the attacker, then the attacker assumes the risk of the quick free kick and any defensive contact would not be punishable (the kicker knew the location of the defender at the time he/she took the free kick).

Finally, as the directive implores officials, preventative measures should be utilized. Upon seeing players who act as a “statue” in front of the ball or who are less than 10 yards, referees should use presence to move the defender back and prevent further occurrences.

…
Handling

DELIBERATE HANDLING VS. OFFSIDE — NEW INTERPRETATION

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Question:
A pass from a teammate goes to an attacker in an offside position.  Only this attacker is in the area of the pass and it is clear that the pass was intended for this attacker.  While the ball is in the air, a defender reaches up and handles the ball to prevent it reaching this attacker.  Should we call the handling foul even though we know that we will call this attacker for an offside violation if the ball reaches him?

USSF answer (June 9 2009):
ATTENTION!!! All referees please note that this answer involves a change in prior guidance due to the evolving interpretation of the offside offense by the International Football Association (the people who make the Laws).

Back in “the good old days,” pre-2008, it would have been simple: Punish the offside (interfering with play) and award the indirect free kick to the defender’s team, but caution the defender for unsporting behavior for the deliberate handling of the ball. This was based on the argument that the offside offense occurred first and, since it was going to be called because the pass was clearly “going to” the attacker, the referee’s decision to accept the AR’s flag for the offside stopped play and the handling therefore occurred during a stoppage.  The caution was for unsporting behavior since it was the defender’s intention to “interfere with attacking play.”

Now, however, in the modern, post-2008 era, we are unable to do this because the offside offense has become somewhat more complicated. Under current guidance for deciding if an attacker in an offside position has interfered with play, we look to whether or not the attacker makes contact with the ball (not counting the possibility that the attacker’s actions might be considered to have interfered with an opponent).  We must remember that, despite the intentions of the teammate and despite how clearly the ball is “going to” the attacker, that attacker could still decide not to interfere with play by avoiding all contact with the ball.  That “pass to the attacker” by itself does not constitute interfering with play.  Consequently, based solely on that “pass to the attacker,” the AR should not raise the flag for an offside violation, so we are left with the handling offense — direct free kick (or penalty kick if the handling occurred in the defender’s penalty area).  The referee should still caution the defender for the tactical foul.  If the AR does mistakenly raise the flag based solely on the pass, the referee should wave it down and proceed as indicated to deal with the handling.…

Pregame

SAMPLE PREGAME INSTRUCTIONS

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In response to several requests, here is a sample set of pregame instructions. These are not necessarily approved by the U. S. Soccer Federation, so are labeled with the “unofficial” box around them. I hope they are helpful.


See the 2013 update to these instructions

Gil Weber’s Pregame Instructions
Copyright© 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009

May 2009

These pregame instructions were originally written in 1999, and then were updated in 2002, 2005, and 2007 after International Football Association Board decisions and advisories from FIFA and USSF. Here now is the latest revision to include new instructions from FIFA and USSF plus “tweaks” based on my experiences over the past few years.

As I stated in the original preamble, adapt these instructions to your own style and temperament. Don’t try to repeat verbatim what you read here. Instead, think about the points I make, reflect on how I ask my assistant referees to deal with them, and then create your own pre-game spiel to meet the needs of your games and the experience levels of your assistant referees.

This is particularly important when you’re working with very young or inexperienced ARs. In their entirety these pregame instructions will utterly overwhelm a young AR who’s probably still trying to get comfortable switching the flag from hand to hand.

But assuming you’re working with ARs who have some reasonable comfort level on the touchline, this should cover just about everything. And so with that introduction, here goes.

———————-

You’ll help me most by focusing your attention inside the lines for the entire 90 minutes (or however long). Please don’t turn around to see who chases the ball when it goes into touch behind you. Don’t watch to see what happens to the ball when it goes behind the goal line. Our game is between the lines, so watch the players and the field at all times.

If you’re the A/R on the bench side the only time you should look outside the touchline is when you need to deal with substitutions, or if you have issues with the conduct of those on the team benches. If you can manage these things quickly without becoming distracted, that’s great. If not, call me over and I will deal with the problem.

If you’re the A/R on the spectator side your only concern outside the touchline should be if those spectators crowd the line and make it hard for you to run or to see past midfield to the far corner flag. If you can deal with the crowd quickly in these cases, that’s great. If they won’t give you a clear view of the entire touchline don’t get into a hassle repeatedly asking them to move back. Call me over and I will deal with it.
Of course both of you should be aware and let me know if spectators migrate behind the goals and create a distraction for the goalkeepers. Otherwise, forget what’s outside the lines and, instead, focus on the players.

The players are smart, and if one of them is going to do anything nasty it will probably happen when he thinks we’re not watching. If you turn to watch the ball behind you, that’s when a player will look, see his chance, and elbow or punch or spit. Then an opponent is lying face down on the field and I look at you with a facial expression asking, “What happened?” If you then look back at me with eyes like a deer caught in headlights, we’re in trouble. We can’t let that happen, we have to be aware, so watch the “hot” areas of the field at all times.

If I whistle for a free kick close to you and I have to come to the spot of the foul to deal with players or position the wall, do NOT watch me! Nothing is happening where I am. Instead, watch the players behind me, directly across from you in the penalty area. That’s where the problems could happen because the players know my attention is away from them, and they will look and see that you’re watching me. Then the nasty stuff starts, so watch the field!!

On dead balls the first thing we must do is make eye contact. If you have something to communicate then try to tell me what’s on your mind with hand signals. For example, pointing to a player and then pointing to your eyes will be enough to tell me to watch him/her. Or patting your badge after I’ve whistled for a foul will tell me that in your opinion a caution is in order.

If it’s a more serious matter that requires discussion, then motion me over. If I don’t see you and it’s really important that we deal with something now, then shout at me. Get my attention!

On each stoppage it’s also important that you look across the field to the other AR. Make eye contact. If there is a flag up behind my back (e.g., for substitution) then mirror it.

If I fail to look over and make eye contact after several stoppages, don’t worry. I’m not intentionally ignoring you. I’ve simply violated my first rule that says we must make regular eye contact. But if I do ignore you don’t let me continue! If I fall asleep on the job, wake me up!

If I don’t look at you several times then give me a shout and point to your own eyes — I’ll get the message to pay attention.

Offside is yours, but please remember that we have specific instructions on what must happen during play before we raise the flag. Please do not raise the flag for a player in an offside position who’s doing nothing other than occupying space. If a player is in an offside position but is not participating, let him be. He can set up a barbeque and roast hotdogs for 30 minutes if he wishes, but he’s not offside until you decide he’s become involved.

So I’ll be depending on you to judge when that player has interfered with play or with an opponent, or has gained an advantage as a result of being in an offside position when the ball was touched or played by a teammate. Wait just a second and see what develops. Remember the new instruction in 2009 that interfering with play requires touching the ball.

Let’s also be careful not to raise the flag too soon for a player in an offside position who has the ball played into his general area, only to have the teammate who last touched the ball run through the defense and collect his own pass. A second or two late and accurate is better than a fast but, ultimately, inaccurate flag.

Now, if you do raise the flag (and it’s not a mistake which you immediately correct) then hold it up forever — until I blow the whistle or wave it down (“Thanks very much”), or if there’s a goal kick, or if I’ve gone completely asleep, until the defense takes the ball and there is no longer a threat of attack.

But if there is an attack in progress then never, never pull the flag down simply because I did not see it. Stand there forever if you have to — like the Statue of Liberty. You’re not the one who looks foolish — I am. And that’s my problem. The defense and their coaches will certainly let me know that your flag is up. (Boy, will they let me know!)

But we cannot allow a goal to be scored if you had the flag up and then brought it down because I did not see it and you decided you had to catch up to the attacking play. Similarly, if the ball goes into touch or over the goal line and then comes back into the field, raise the flag and stand there forever until I blow the whistle or until the attack breaks down and there is no longer a threat on goal.

I’m the one who looks foolish, not you. We cannot allow the ball to go off the field, come back in, and then go into the goal. If you’ve dropped the flag and I never saw it, and if I then award a goal we’ll have big problems. So keep the flag up as long as there’s a threat of attack!

OK, moving on…

If the ball goes into the goal and comes back out, and if I did not realize it and play continues, raise the flag to signal ball out of play and then stand there. You have to get my attention, so do not drop the flag. A goal is a goal, and my falling asleep does not negate that. As a last resort, shout to get my attention — this is a game-altering incident and we have to get it right.

If I’ve turned away from you and headed up field and have not heard your shout, then the AR on the other side of the field should see your flag and should mirror it. (“Hey, dummy. Look behind you!”)

The most important thing is that we get it right. My ego is not more important than the game, so get my attention and tell me I’m wrong if I’m wrong.

Now, if the other AR does not see and mirror your flag, and if the game has had some stoppages and restarts then at that point it’s too late to award the goal. All you can do is tell me at half time or full time and I’ll have to deal with the consequences of my inattentiveness.

If the ball goes in the goal and in your opinion it’s a good goal then follow standard USSF procedures. Do not immediately dash a long way up the line because if I decide it’s not a goal then you have to run all the way back. So make eye contact first! (Remember… eye contact at stoppages!)

If I agree it’s good then trot slowly up the line looking over your right shoulder at the goal line and penalty area to observe for post-goal nastiness, especially fights over the ball in the net. Watch the players!!!

If in your opinion it’s not a good goal then stand there, at attention, per USSF instructions. Raise the flag only if the goal-scorer was offside. I’ll look at you, you can motion me over and tell me “Number 6 clearly impeded the keeper and prevented her from getting to the ball” (or whatever it was). If I agree we’ll cancel the goal and restart for the defense. If I disagree we’ll go with the goal and I’ll keep the defenders away from you. Don’t be offended; it’s not personal.

Now, if in your opinion it’s not a good goal and I fail to make eye contact (instead, I point and run directly to the center circle), then raise the flag behind my back. Again, I hate flags behind my back, but I’ve violated my own rule about making eye contact. Standing at attention won’t do any good at that point.

So you need to get my attention. The other AR must mirror the flag. (“Hey, dummy, look behind you.”)

Next, we know that ARs are now expected to become more involved in managing the game, for example with fouls closer to them, or when the AR has a better line of sight than the referee. Please help, but please also watch me since I tend to use advantage more than most other referees. So early in the game, try to get a feel for my style.

Now, if you’re convinced that I would have called the foul had I seen it then don’t hesitate to raise the flag in the hand that indicates the direction of the restart and then give it a wiggle. And now comes one of your most important duties – making me look good. :o)

Remember that if you’re calling a foul I did not see I won’t know what you saw. And that’s the time the players are sure to ask “What’s the call, referee?” I won’t know, but I can’t let them know that I don’t know.

So please, every time you call a foul, give me a little hand signal – something very subtle (e.g., shirt pull, handling, push, etc.). Remember, I may not have seen the foul, only your flag, and I have to sell the call to the players! If you can help me avoid the deer-in-the-headlights stare when the players ask me, “What was the call, referee?” I’d be most appreciative. :o)

So those are your two most important duties as AR: First is offside, and second is keeping the referee out of trouble. And come to think of it maybe the order of those should be reversed. :o)

Let’s talk for a moment about penalty kicks. Please be cautious flagging for any fouls in the penalty area that would result in a PK. Now understand that’s not saying the penalty area is exclusively mine – it’s not, and we’re a team. But I am supposed to be able to see what’s in front of me, and I’ll take responsibility for that. I’ll also protect you from irate defenders and coaches, so don’t worry about them.

Just be certain before flagging for a PK. If you are certain I would have called it had I seen the foul, then make eye contact, give me a signal with the flag, and after the whistle dash to the corner flag to tell me that it was a penal foul. (And don’t forget the subtle hand signal to tell me what you saw so I can sell the PK to the defense.)

And if I whistle for a direct free kick offense that occurs just at the edge of the penalty area and I give you a look asking for help (inside or outside?), remember to use the new signal — flag held horizontally below the waist — to tell me if the offense was inside and the restart is a PK.

Now there are two exceptions for fouls in the penalty area — times when you should flag for a PK without any hesitation.

1) If a defender does his best Diego Maradona imitation by sticking his hand above his head or away from his body (“makes himself bigger”) and unquestionably, intentionally handles the ball, and if I’m the only person on the planet who did not see it, then raise the flag and give the standard USSF signal for PK. Again, this is not something marginal. This is clearly, unquestionably handling – a game-changing incident — and you’re convinced I was screened or had a huge mental lapse.

2) If I’ve turned to run up the field and a defender clobbers an attacker behind my back in the penalty area then you must raise the flag. Now that flag will be behind my back (and flags behind the CR’s back should be avoided whenever possible) but we’re talking a game-destroying incident if it’s not dealt with promptly. So raise the flag, and the other AR should be observant enough to see it and mirror. (“Hey ref, look behind you. There’s a problem significant enough for me to flag and point past you.”)

If I whistle for a PK then come around the corner and take your position off the field at the intersection of the goal line and penalty area line. Be a goal judge and watch for keeper movement forward from the goal line. If the goalkeeper moves early and that movement makes a difference then show the new signal (flag held horizontally below the waist). In my infinite wisdom (or lack thereof) I may choose to ignore that signal from you. Again, do not be offended; it is not personal.

I’ll watch for encroachment into the penalty area by the field players. If the ball rebounds from the keeper or goal do not try to rejoin play to judge offside. You’ll get caught in no-man’s land and you’re useless to me.

Instead, stay on the goal line and be a goal judge. I’ll watch for offside. Move out to the touchline only when it’s safe — when the play has cleared the penalty area and the ball is going toward the other end of the field.

Now at PK incidents you also have one more opportunity to keep the referee out of trouble. If I whistle for a PK and you’re absolutely convinced
I was fooled by a dive then do not go to the corner flag. Instead, make eye contact, turn and walk a few steps up field, toward the halfway line. That’s your subtle signal to me saying “Hey, ref. You bought that dive? I don’t think so!”

When I look you can give me a little “No!” signal with your head, and a very subtle hand motion to show dive (but I emphasize very subtle).

Now of course these are unofficial signals, but remember that we have to get it right. The defenders will respect the officials a lot more if we get it right even after a short delay than if we force an unfair PK upon them. And if the attackers are honest with themselves they surely will know that their teammate took a dive.

And along those same lines of getting it right, remember that in 2009 we have new instructions on dealing with one-hundred percent misconduct (violent conduct) that has occurred out of the referee’s sight, even if play has restarted. We can now go back and deal with the “crime” after a restart provided you have raised the flag and kept it up through the restart. When I finally do see the flag the perp can be sent-off based on your information.

The restart following this “delayed justice” will be based on whatever reason the ball was out of play when the game was subsequently stopped, not for the original misconduct.

So this is one of the times when you as the AR really need to be involved and insist. But remember that this “delayed justice” is not for everyday, simple misconduct. Rather, it’s reserved for the most egregious of misconduct – something that simply must be dealt with. And it can only happen if you maintain the flag until I stop the game. Failing that, the perp walks unpunished.

Moving on…

Manage the game as best you can when play is nearby. Handle encroachment on free kicks close to you and on corner kicks. Come into the field if you need to. But keep an eye on the attackers and read the game. They may want to take a quick free kick, and if you’re standing next to the wall 10 yards inside the field when they put the ball into play then we all look bad when I have to blow the whistle and hold the restart while you retreat to the touchline. So use common sense here and try to stay at the touchline if you can.

Talk to the players when they’re at the corner arc and you just know one player is going to kick the other player’s ankles. (“Play the ball guys, not the ankles.”) If the player then kicks the ankles you nail him — raise the flag. Talk to the players — politely, respectfully, but we’re in charge. They are not.

If they complain (“Hey linesman, that was offside”) don’t be bothered. Players will complain and disagree. They’re allowed to disagree and vent a little emotion. That’s part of an emotional game. But they’re not allowed to dissent and disrespect you. You must decide when disagreement turns into dissent. When you have had enough, call me over. But don’t be overly sensitive.

Of course if they tell you to stick the flag where the sun doesn’t shine (or something equally colorful) then call me over. Anytime you call me over it has to be for something that you could not manage yourself. So you must be prepared to tell me, “White number 6 spit at blue number 12,” or whatever. Do not call me over to say that green number 5 is complaining about offside. I don’t care about that and you should not be over-reacting to that sort of stuff.

So listen and hear what needs to be heard and ignore what can be ignored. Stay calm and in control.

Work the same way with the coaches, substitutes, and spectators. They’re allowed to disagree as long as they don’t get out of line or become disruptive to the game, or interfere with your running on the line. So try to manage things as best you can — politely but firmly. If you’ve tried but cannot deal with elements outside the touchlines, then call me over. I will take out the trash!
If you see something on or off the field involving players or substitutes or substituted players that in your opinion needs a caution or send-off then in addition to raising your flag to get my attention please give me a subtle, private signal. To recommend a caution put a hand over your badge. For a send-off you can touch your back pocket. If I see either of those signals I’ll know you need to speak with me. Be prepared with jersey numbers and specifics.

All other mechanics are to standard USSF teachings (for corner kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks, substitutions, etc.). Just follow what you were taught and you’ll be fine.

When checking-in the players be certain that the jersey number on the lineup is the same as the number on the shirt. And please look at the photos on the player passes! Does the person standing in front of you bear any resemblance to the photo? If not, hold the pass and show it to me. Do not return it to the player or coach.

One last thing I’d like you to remember. I’m not picky about the exact blade of grass for free kicks far from goal, for offside restarts, etc. If the player is close, let her play. Show the player where to take the throw-in, and if she gets quite close let it go. But if she ignores your direction and goes 5-10 yards away after you pointed to the proper spot, then raise the flag.

In the same vein, I don’t care if the ball is placed a few inches outside the goal area for a goal kick when the nearest opponent is 40 yards away. Who cares? Certainly not the opponents. Please don’t raise the flag and motion with your hand to tell me that the ball has to go back a few inches after it’s been kicked into play!

Or if the keeper is punting the ball and reaches a few inches outside the penalty area just before kicking (clearly handling outside the area) don’t raise the flag if the nearest opponent is many yards away. Who cares? It’s utterly trifling, so let them play.

Be proactive and give a shout. “Keeper, watch your lines when you’re punting the ball.” Then if the keeper persists we have the option to act after we’ve provided a reasonable warning.

On the other hand, if the keeper comes out to challenge and handles outside the area thereby preventing the opponent an opportunity to play the ball, then of course you flag it. That handling is unfair. But let’s not micro-manage trivial offenses that don’t matter in the long run. Let inconsequential stuff go. Being technically correct when it’s not necessary only causes preventable irritation for the players, coaches, and spectators.

Now, any questions on things I covered, or are there things I did not cover that you’d like to discuss?

OK, let’s pluck this turkey. :o)

Gil Weber is a National Referee Emeritus, State Assessor, and Referee Instructor. He is also a contributor to the USSF’s Advice to Referees (all editions), Laws of the Game Made Easy, the Guide for Fourth Officials, the Women’s World Cup ‘99 Fouls and Misconduct video, You Make the Call, and other Federation referee educational programs.

…
Guide to Procedures

WHAT’S IN A PREGAME CONFERENCE?

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Question:
Your answers to questions frequently illuminate topics that should be discussed in the referee team’s pregame conference. Yet I have a difficult time remembering all of the various topics that should be addressed in pregame. I have searched but have been unsuccessful in finding a quide or outline for the pregame conference.

What are the topics that the referee A) must discuss, B)should discuss, and C) might discuss with his assistants in the pregame conference. I imagine that the topics in categories B and C will likely depend upon the experience of the referee team, age level and competition level of the match, among other factors.

USSF answer (June 5, 2009):
Your imagination is working well. As leader of the officiating team, the referee must establish during the pregame conference how the team will work and cooperate. The referee (depending on his or her own level of experience) should tailor the pregame to fit the composition of the refereeing crew, including their likely varying levels of knowledge and fitness; the age, competition, and skill levels of the players; and the particular requirements of the competition itself. It is often useful for the referee to develop a checklist for topics to be covered in the pregame conference. The amount of detail would be tailored to the needs (see above) of the referee, the assistant referees (ARs), and the fourth official. First and foremost, the referee must ensure that the ARs (and a fourth official) are familiar with the guidelines and mechanics laid out in the USSF publication “Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials.”

For starters, when working with unfamiliar crew members, the very first task (after introductions) is to ask questions which (gently) elicit information about these issues — e.g., How long officiating? Grade level? Most frequent level of assignment? Club/league/association? Entry class instructor (if within first or second year of experience)? This will help the referee tailor the pregame to the needs of the team.

Ideal topics for the checklist would include the duties of the AR, signals of the AR (including NOT signaling when the referee can clearly see the incident), what to do when AR signals are missed by the referee (such as when and how long to maintain the flag); duties of the fourth official (if one is assigned); differences between the rules of the competition and the Laws of the Game, if any; what the ARs should do in situations that are not covered by the Laws of the Game, such as unofficial signals or when the AR may/should enter the field; duties at a penalty kick; a reminder to communicate at all possible moments (such as a quick look exchanged between the referee and the lead AR on all through balls or at stoppages in play. Likely the most important item is a reminder to the ARs and the fourth to immediately alert the referee to any mistakes in procedure, such as having cautioned a player a second time but failed to send that player off.

Finally, the referee should encourage the ARs (and a possible fourth official) to ask questions during the pregame conference, just to ensure that they have understood what has been discussed and what they are to do.…

Advantage

OFFSIDE AND ADVANTAGE

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Question:
The assistant signals an offside position against team A.

The central ref does not notice the signal. Meanwhile team B regains possession of the ball and on the counter attack they score. During all this time the AR still keeps his flag up. The central ref allows the goal, but before the restart he notices the AR’s flag and goes to him. The AR tells him about the offside position. The ref disallows the goal and comes back to award team B the indirect free kick due to the offside position signaled by the AR.

What should have been the correct decision? I have understood that there is no advantage at offsides, so the offside needs to be punished, right?

Myself, I would have allowed the goal, as I would have considered that the AR made a mistake keeping the flag up. The recommendation is that if the AR signals the offside position and the central ref does not see the signal, the AR must put down the flag when the defending team has gained clear possession of the ball. Right?

USSF answer (June 5, 2009):
The clear and uncontested answer is that the assistant referee (AR) should have lowered the flag as soon as the opposing team gained control of the ball. (See the Interpretation/Guidelines for Referees, Law 6, in the back of the Law book.) Allow the goal, slap the AR on the wrist for keeping the flag up unnecessarily and thus interfering with the game.

That said, there are some disturbing statements in your question that could confuse referees, assistant referees, players, coaches, and spectators.

1. Signal offside position?
The assistant referee (AR) should NEVER signal simply offside position. He or she should signal only a definite offside; this means that the player in question is in an offside position and is involved in play. The referee than makes the decision as to whether there truly is offside, or that the offside signaled by the AR will not be called. In other words, offside either is or is not. In all events, the AR must know for certain that a player in an offside position is involved in play before the AR lifts the flag.

2. Advantage:
The advantage clause can be invoked only on infringements of Law 12, not on infringements of other Laws. Those who say that advantage may be called on offside are confusing two meanings (or categories) of the same word. The first, “Advantage” as treated in Law 5, applies only to violations of Law 12: It means that the referee believes that the team that had committed the foul (or misconduct) would benefit from a stoppage and the team that had been fouled would lose a good opportunity to advance the ball. This is the only situation in which the the referee gives the advantage signal of upswept arms and states, “Advantage, play on.”

The second, a “silent” advantage, applies to any other violation of the Laws COMMITTED BY A PLAYER (offside, second-touch on restarts, encroachment under Law 14, interfering with the goalkeeper on a corner kick) for which the impact is so fleeting or the ball changes possession so quickly that stopping play would unnecessarily interfere with the flow of the match. Offenses for which “silent” advantage is applied would not be counted in determining persistent infringement. For all other violations of the Law not committed by a player (“foreign” ball or outside agent entering the field, lack of corner flags), no advantage of either sort would be appropriate and the referee would apply the concept of doubtful or trifling in deciding what to do.

A third situation that seems to afflict some referees is the wish to call “play on” and signal the advantage when there has been no foul, but simply some sort of contact that was not a foul. In cases like this, the referee should find something else to say other than “play on” and should definitely NOT give the advantage signal: “Go on, no foul”; “Nothing there”; or “I saw it, number 6 [or whatever number applies], and there was no foul.”…

Advantage

ADVANTAGE VS. MISCONDUCT AND “NATURAL” STOPPAGES REDUX

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Question:
In the UEFA championship match, there was a situation where the referee applied advantage to a reckless foul (deserving of a caution) and allowed play to continue.  Over the course of the next several seconds, the advantage was fully realized but, in the end, the ball ended up in the hands of the opposing team’s goalkeeper.  At that time, the referee stopped play and showed a yellow card for the reckless foul.  Is this proper?  I thought you had to wait for the ball to leave the field before giving the card?  Was the restart correct?

USSF answer (June 2, 2009):
Several questions have come in regarding this incident, a few referring directly to the UEFA match and others raising the issue generally.  Although we have answered these questions individually, there has been some misunderstanding of what is truly at issue here.  Accordingly, we are using this latest question to offer some general advice for handling such situations.

Several referees felt that the referee, having decided not to stop play immediately for misconduct based on the application of the advantage concept, cannot thereafter stop play solely because the advantage, which lasted long enough to erase the foul, has ended. Our position is not only yes, he can do that, but we would ask in return, why not? The Law requires only that the card be given at the next stoppage of play and, per the Law, that can occur by the ball leaving the field (which is often the ONLY type of stoppage considered here) or by the referee stopping play. Why do referees stop play? Well, there are hundreds of reasons, including (see Advice to Referees) simply wanting to talk to a player as well as such more obvious things as injuries, weather, another foul, etc., or simply for the good of the game”!

We recommend for everyone’s reading the Interpretations/Guidelines (on p. 90 of the 2008/2009 Laws) regarding the referee missing the AR’s flag for severe misconduct and reiterated in the USSF Memorandum Supplement 2008:

Law 6
Both last year and again this year, the International Board has created an exception to the general rule that, if advantage is applied to misconduct, the appropriate card must be shown and the proper action taken (e.g., the player sent off) at the next stoppage; otherwise, the opportunity to card has been lost. The Interpretations provide that, if an AR signals for violent conduct but the signal is not seen until after play is restarted after the next stoppage, the referee may still display a red card and send the player off the field. If this should occur, the restart is based on the current stoppage of play rather than on the violent conduct that occurred previously.

USSF advises that:
– this exception is not limited to “violent conduct” in its official sense as a form of misconduct but applies as well to serious foul play (where violence or excessive force is involved) and other acts of misconduct,
– the AR must have signaled for the misconduct at the time it occurred and maintained the signal until it is seen by the referee, and
– if play is stopped solely in response to the signal by the AR, play is restarted with a dropped ball where the ball was when play was stopped (except for the special circumstances involving restarts in the goal area) but otherwise the restart is in accordance with the Law.

Referees are strongly urged to cover this type of situation in their pregame discussion and to make clear what sorts of misconduct are serious enough to warrant maintaining the AR’s signal past the next stoppage of play. If a player has received a second yellow card in the same match but was not at that time shown a red card and sent off, the referee remains able to correct the error at any time it is brought to his or her attention by a member of the officiating team.

This information from the Interpretations/Guidelines is not directly related to the question at hand and some will argue that it is also “not specifically authorized” in the Laws of the Game. However, there are many things we do that are “not specifically authorized” and fall under the words used in the Laws themselves, “If, in the opinion of the referee.” In this case the solution is indeed part and parcel of the Laws and it prepares the way for a more proactive role for the referee after applying the advantage. If the referee has to stop the game because no “natural” stoppage seems imminent, then he can do so. Referees are expected to do what is needed to meet the demands of the Spirit of the Game, to give the players a fair game. Waiting for a “natural” stoppage in this game would have left open a path for more infringements. Better to stop them now, before they occur, rather than wait and hope.

As we read it, the International Board was so concerned about violent conduct going unpunished that it carved out this exception to the general rule that a card not given at the next stoppage (natural or “unnatural”) is lost forever. With this in mind, why should the referee be prevented from implementing the same spirit by stopping play himself after the advantage has been realized and the opposing team (the one that committed the violent conduct in the first place!) now has control of the ball? This does not mean that the referee should in every case do as was done in this situation, stopping play without waiting for a “natural” stoppage. However, it does mean that the referee must keep his or her finger on the pulse of the game, applying, as we suggest in Advice 13.5, his or her feeling for the game in what FIFA calls “Fingerspitzengefühl” (literally: “sensing with one’s fingertips”). Only by exercising common sense can the referee do what is correct in such cases.…

"Only in America!"

DEVIANT SUBSTITUTION RULES FOR YOUTH PLAY

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Question:
1. Where can I find the deviations from the laws for kids? I have check all the web sites in my are and there is none listed and with talking with other referees we cannot find where these are to prove what is right.

2. Is there a written changes/deviation from the laws for kids that are standard nation or world wide?

3. Youth teams – Team “A” and Team “B” are playing and a player from Team “A” goes down hurt and is sub for by team “A”, can team “B” also sub? If so how many players can be sub?

4. With most youth club games being done by no State and National level referees (mainly by grade 8’s), is there any mentoring programs to help keep quality of refereeing consistent from location to location.

USSF answer (June 1, 2009):
In the introduction to the Laws of the Game, the International Football Association Board (the people who write the Laws) indicates what modifications are allowed:

Subject to the agreement of the member association concerned and provided the principles of these Laws are maintained, the Laws may be modified in their application for matches for players of under 16 years of age, for women footballers, for veteran footballers (over 35 years) and for players with disabilities.
Any or all of the following modifications are permissible:
– size of the field of play
– size, weight and material of the ball
– width between the goalposts and height of the crossbar from the ground
– duration of the periods of play
– substitutions
Further modifications are only allowed with the consent of the International Football Association Board.

Please note that under the Laws of the Game these modifications do not apply to any groups of players other than those who are under 16, are women, are over 35, or are players with disabilities.

In answer to your questions:
1. You will have to check the rules of the competition in which you referee or coach. Neither U. S. Soccer nor U. S. Youth Soccer has approved any modifications for players Under 13 or older. U. S. Youth Soccer has approved modifications only for small-sided soccer, ages Under 6 through Under 12. Here is the link for the small-sided rules and mods: http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/coaches/RulesSmallGames.asp.

2. There is no national standard deviation from the requirements of the Laws of the Game. The entire world outside of some competitions in the United States plays in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

3. The Laws of the Game allow substitution by either team at any stoppage.

4. You will have to check with your state soccer association(s) for mentoring programs.…

Ball in Play

MLS: CHICAGO VS. CHIVAS, 28 MAY 2009

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Question:
I am really confused by a call that was made on this game, and was hoping maybe you could shed some light on it for me. About 12 minutes into the game, Chicago was awarded a corner kick. Prior to the kick being taken a Chivas player body slammed a Chicago player inside the penalty box (the defender swung the offensive player around by the neck and then picked him up with both hands and laid him on the ground). The referee did not call a foul, and the AR called the corner kick back for a re-kick. Did I miss something? Shouldn’t that have been at least a yellow card to the Chivas player, if not a red since the ball was not yet in play? And shouldn’t there have been a PK for Chicago?

USSF answer (June 1, 2009):
Careful evaluation of the corner will show that the contact occurred before the corner kick was taken. Hence, given the fact that the ball was not in play, you must restart with the original corner kick.

Nowhere in the law does it state that a yellow card or red card needs to be issued because the ball is not in play. As you are aware, I’m sure, there is lots of holding taking place during corner kicks. Referees have been instructed to take a proactive role in dealing with this holding. This is the case in this situation.

The referee team takes a proactive role by stopping the play and retaking the kick. The referee’s whistle is a bit delayed because he is attempting to judge whether the offended team would benefit by allowing play to continue instead of retaking the corner kick. The assistant referee does help the referee by telling him that the ball was not in play at the time of the hold. As a result, the referee makes the correct decision to retake the corner kick.

In terms of misconduct, the referee decided that the holding was merely “careless” and not “reckless” and, thus, that is was not unsporting behavior. Consequently, he did not issue a caution to the defender. The referee could have been stronger in dealing with the holding defender by having a word with him and this may have assisted in proactively sending a message to prevent further holding. If you watch the entire game, you will see that the referee stopped the game on several other occasions prior to a corner kick being taken due to holding and jostling in the penalty area.…