Law 17 - Corner Kick

CORNER KICK TACTIC

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Question:
I have stumbled upon a few videos on the internet about “tricks” on how to play a corner kick.

This one specifically leaves me with quite the bitter taste…as a player but also as a Referee)

All that gesture to make everyone think he’s calling a teammate to take the corner kick (and then takes it while starting to go away from the corner kick) can it fall under the “unsportsmanlike behavior” ?

It sincerely doesn’t look/appear like a “Fair Play” at all as the only intent is to deceive the opponents in a way that only make me think of “cheating”.

There is no “technical” infringement as the ball is played according to the LOTG.

Now, according to the USSF “CAUTIONS AND CAUTIONABLE OFFENSES” memo of 2006 :

< A player commits an act deemed by the referee as bringing the game into disrepute (also known as showing a lack of respect for the game, e. g., aggressive attitude, inflammatory behavior, or taunting) >

Can this sort of ‘act” be considered as an offense (as outlined by the memo) ?

If yes, it should be considered unsportsmanlike conduct therefore the “guilty” player should also be cautioned.

USSF answer (January 30, 2009):
It is perfectly legal to do this. How could anyone object to this tactic? The player has put the ball in play in accordance with the Laws of the Game. The kicking team is allowed to use such deceptive tactics and SHOULD NOT be punished for them. However, if the kicking player had merely stepped on top of the ball and then left it for the next player, who dribbles it away, that would not have been a legal restart. But even that is not punished with a caution, as it is not misconduct; in that case, the referee would call the second player for a double touch and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.…

Guide to Procedures

RUN THE BALL TO THE GOAL LINE, PLEASE

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Question:
I was wondering why the linesman in USSF are instructed to run to the corner spot to give the signal for a goal kick when in the EPL and most European games I watch on TV they go to the six to signal the goal kick. When a shot taken at the 18 or beyond and is well clear of the goal line my assessor still wanted me to run to the corner spot before signaling. I just think that holds up play and not all centers are going to wait for you to get their before they make there signal.

USSF answer (January 29, 2009):
The assistant referee’s standard position throughout the world is in line with the second-to-last defender or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line. There is no need to run all the way to the goal line if there is no player within playing distance of the ball, but there is clearly a need for the AR — there have been no linesmen since 1997, either in the UK or elsewhere in the world — to run with the ball as far as necessary to be certain where it will go.

While the AR should follow the ball to the goal line in most cases, he or she should not remain dead on the flag to make the signal, but should come back a yard or so to make the correct signal. This allows the flag to be visible to the referee, who must make the final decision. The referee who fails to wait a reasonable time for the AR’s signal before announcing his/her own decision is demonstrating a lack of trust in the AR and the concept of teamwork.…

Law 12 - Fouls & Misconduct

CHARGE WITH USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE?

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Question:
Player ‘A’ challenges for the ball from the front (or side) with a slide tackle of greater than average force. His opponent (‘B’) backs off the ball, essentially bailing out of the situation obviously in fear of the possible physical consequences of such a tackle. As a result, ‘A’ wins the ball cleanly, without touching player ‘B’.

IFK, DFK, card, or play on as there was no contact?

USSF answer (January 29, 2009):
It’s always hard to diagnose a situation from the comfort of our desks, but it would appear that player ‘A’ should, at a minimum, be cautioned for unsporting behavior for his reckless action. At most it would be a send-off for serious foul play. The restart would be a direct free kick for charging an opponent carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force, as described in Law 12. The decision as to which of these levels of infringement had occurred would depend on the age and skill levels of the teams.…

Law 12 - Fouls & Misconduct

DIVING TO HEAD A LOW BALL

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Question:
Green team is attacking blue’s goal, the ball is bouncing in the penalty area between knee- and waist-height. Green forward dives at the ball to head it into goal and is kicked in the head by the blue defender a.) before b.) after the defender’s foot makes contact with the ball to clear it. What would be the proper call in this case?

USSF answer (January 28, 2009):
That decision can be made only by the referee on the game, who has seen all elements of the play. However, a general guideline is that a player who dives to head the ball below the waist that another player is attempting to kick has not exercised good sense and may be considered to have placed both players in a dangerous position. If there is contact, the foul would normally be called against the player who was trying to head the low ball. If there is no contact, the player attempting to head the low ball would likely be called for playing dangerously.…

"Inventive" Refs

TRICKERY?

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Question:
Defense player (A) standing mid way between half field and the penalty arc, lobs a ball in the air back towards his own goal. Defense player (B) is standing in the penalty arc. There is multiply players from both team between Player A and B. Player (B) in the penalty arc decides to head the ball back to his keeper who picks it up.

The referee in this game called trickery to the pass back rule as he perceived that the original intent of player A was a pass back to the goalkeeper and that player B header was trickery to by step the law and allow the keeper to pick up the ball. He awarded a free kick just outside the 6 yard box.

Was he correct?

USSF answer (January 28, 2009):
It is not against the Law to head the ball to one’s own ‘keeper in this situation.…

Law 12 - Fouls & Misconduct

LEAVING THE FIELD TO COMMIT AN INFRINGEMENT

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Question:
My question is about fouls .
Before i start, i will state some data:
Blue Team = Defense
Red Team = Attack
* The red team is around the goal of the blue.

So here it goes:
Player from the red team is holding the ball by his feet, trying to turn off player from the blue.
The place of both players is close to the out line.
The red player passed the blue player by going OUT of the field, keeping the ball inside.
The Blue player decides to tackle the red player while he is standing OUTSIDE the field.
My question is , if you call for a foul, how do you renew the game ? free kick? from where? If it’s a “referee ball” so who get the ball ? if the attack, than what about if its very close to the defense goal?

USSF answer (January 28, 2009):
A player is allowed to leave the field to avoid an obstacle while playing the ball. This does not require the permission of the referee.

We cannot be expected to read the players’ minds. If the Blue player was standing inside the field and stuck his foot outside the field when he tackled the Red player, then he is considered to have left the field without the permission of the referee, because he left the field to commit the offense. The restart — following the caution for leaving the field to commit the infringement — is an indirect free kick from the place where the ball was when play was stopped. The Blue player has not left the field during the course of play, but left it specifically to commit what would have been a foul if it had been committed on the field.

Please note that no foul can be committed off the field of play. Such acts are punished as misconduct.…

"Inventive" Refs

ONLY IN AMERICA!

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Question:
Hello I am a new referee and was watching a game where a state referee and president of the soccer league that the teams play for when he red carded a coach when He was not the referee or a.r of the current game I did not know this is legal is it?

USSF answer (January 27, 2009):
No, this was not proper procedure. No person, whether a referee or administrator, is allowed to send off players or show red cards if he or she is not the referee on that game. What that referee did is abuse of his power, clear and simple. Worse, it is wrongful abuse of power and should be reported to the state referee administration and to the state soccer association. Please do so as soon as possible.…

Rules of Competition

WHEN IS A MATCH REPLAYED?

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Question:
When must be a soccer match replayed and in which number of law or rule of soccer are these conditions stated?

USSF answer (January 26, 2009):
The match must be replayed when the rules of the competition call for it. There is nothing in the Laws of the Game regarding the matter.

However, there is a requirement in the Law that, unless superseded by the rules of competition, a match cannot be considered complete if it fails to proceed through the full length of the required periods of play (2 equal periods of 45 minutes each).  So, if a game is ended before this point, it cannot be considered a valid match in the absence of any pertinent provision in the rules of competition.  Those provisions can range from the circumstances under which the the match COULD be counted anyway to rules about replaying the match.…

Guide to Procedures

READ THE GUIDE TO PROCEDURES!

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Question:
I have been asked 2 questions…and I’d like to know the “real” answers to them…

The first question is…

At what 3 instances does the AR stand at attention with no flag signal? Explain each…
1. When a goal is scored with someone in the offside position (potentially shielding the keeper)
2. ?
3. ?

The 2nd question I have is…

An AR witnesses a foul not seen by the referee. What 5 steps are required by the AR to communicate this offense?

1. Determine whether or not the referee possibly saw it and is playing the advantage,
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?

I’m not sure If I’m on the right track with both of these, and would appreciate your help. I’m hoping that I know these but am just having a case of mental block!

USSF answer (January 21, 2009):
You will find your answers in the USSF publication “Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials” 2008-09 edition.

Standing at attention:
p. 27: If an apparent goal is to be disallowed because of a foul by an attacking player.
p. 27: If an apparent goal is to be disallowed because a player other than the goalscorer was in an offside position and interfered with play or with an opponent.
p. 28: If a foul observed by the referee occurs OUTSIDE the penalty area.

p. 29 Foul not seen by the referee but indicated by the Lead Assistant Referee:

Lead Assistant Referee
• Determines that the infringement was not or could not be seen by the referee and that, per the pregame conference, the referee would likely have stopped play for the infringement if it had been seen
• Signals with the flag raised vertically in the hand appropriate for the restart direction and, after making eye contact with the referee, gives the flag a slight wave
• If the referee stops play, signals with the flag held 45 degrees upward in the direction of the restart if the foul was committed by any player outside of the penalty area or by an attacker inside the penalty area
• If misconduct is observed associated with the foul, makes eye contact with the referee and advises either a yellow card by placing the free hand over the badge on the left jersey pocket or a red card by placing the free hand on a back pocket on the shorts
• Indicates the location of the restart if necessary
• If the referee does not see the signal, continues to hold the flag straight upward in accordance with the pregame conference
• Per pre-game conference, assists in enforcing the required minimum distance if closer to the restart location
• Takes position to assist with offside on the free kick and monitors other player actions in accordance with the pre-game conference

Trail Assistant Referee
• Mirrors the lead assistant referee’s flag signal if this is not seen by the referee and, upon making eye contact with the referee, directs the referee’s attention to the lead assistant referee

p. 30 Foul not seen by the referee but indicated by the Trail Assistant Referee:

Trail Assistant Referee
• Determines that the infringement was not or could not be seen by the referee and that, per the pregame conference, the referee would likely have stopped play for the infringement if it had been seen
• Signals with the flag raised vertically in the hand appropriate for the restart direction and, after making eye contact with the referee, gives the flag a slight wave
• If the referee stops play, signals with the flag held 45 degrees upward in the direction of the restart if the foul was committed by any player outside of the penalty area or by an attacker inside the penalty area
• If the referee does not see the signal, continues to hold the flag straight upward in accordance with the pregame conference
• Takes position to assist with offside on the free kick and monitors other player actions in accordance with the pre-game conference Lead Assistant Referee
• Mirrors the trail assistant referee’s flag signal if this is not seen by the referee and, upon making eye contact with the referee, directs the referee’s attention to the lead assistant referee

…
"Inventive" Refs

REFEREEING REQUIRES ANALYSIS AND DECISION MAKING

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Question:
If an action is deemed a foul and except for that action a goal would likely have been scored, and whistle is blown and free kick or PK given, MUST the offending player be sent off if the 4D’s are satisfied?
Does score, time left, severity of foul, etc enter into the thought process?
U19 boys game, score is 6-0 late in second half… another breakaway by the team ahead, who happen to be far superior in skill level. The last defender is chasing the striker and trips him about 12 yards from mouth of goal. Only frozen Keeper to beat. Center blows whistle and awards PK. Looks to AR and pats right hip with questioning look. AR shakes head no. (FYI, he missed the PK)
In the Spirit of the Law this is the correct decision in my opinion. But the Letter of the Law seems very clear on this matter. It was denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity with a penal foul. no doubt about it.
It didn’t appear to be a tactical foul, it wasn’t reckless, but was careless. If the foul is given isn’t the red card almost mandatory? Is the only way to avoid the send off to not call it a foul?
Is there something in the Laws that allows for leniency? A send off and missing next game seemed too harsh in this situation. If the game were tied and hotly contested would that make a difference? (I probably would have sent offender off in this case). Does asking AR for opinion show indecision and little courage or good team work?
I’ve seen this breakaway situation several times and most of the Center Referees I’ve asked admit they didn’t even go through the thought process of a send off. Does anything in the Laws support that? Is it the standard, unwritten law to only send off for severe or tactical fouls, or game changing fouls, or worse when the coach yells for a red and reminds the CR to consider a send off? Thanks for your answer.

USSF answer (January 21, 2009):
The only possible response to the question posed in the first paragraph is yes. If a player, through carelessly fouling an opponent, has, in the words of Law 12, denied “an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or penalty kick,” then the player must be sent off for that reason. There is no room for dithering or taking counsel or pushing the decision off onto another person.

We are concerned about what appears to be the central assumption of your questions — that the determination of misconduct is based on how the referee feels about the severity of the foul.  This is very dangerous thinking and can lead to exactly the sort of issues you describe, none of which are relevant to the discussion.  A foul is a foul and misconduct is misconduct.  These are two separate things which only occasionally intersect.  In the case of “OGSO,” the only place they intersect is that a decision about a send-off for OGSO requires first that a defender has committed an offense (not even necessarily a foul, and certainly not necessarily what you call a “penal foul” — we stopped using this term a long time ago) inside the penalty area which is punishable by a free kick or penalty kick.  Once that has been decided — and the requirements for committing a foul are well known — the referee need only turn to the entirely separate question of whether the “4 Ds” requirements for the misconduct were also present.  It is a serious mistake to mix these requirements, for example to apply any of the “4 Ds” to the issue of whether a foul should be called or to apply the requirements for a foul to the issue of whether a defender should be sent off for OGSO.  The only other issue that might arise here is if the foul itself warranted a red card, in which case the red card for SFP or VC takes precedence over the red card for OGSO.

All decisions of the nature you have described must be made “in the opinion of the referee.” However, the referee him- or herself must make this decision; it CANNOT be left to the opinion or discretion of the assistant referee. Referees must have the courage to make the correct decision immediately and then live with it. If they cannot do that, they might consider getting into officiating tiddlywinks.…