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To Whistle Or Not To Whistle?

Things You Didn't Know About Things You Know Well

Referees must make decisions related to games, applying knowledge, common sense and their wits. These decisions must always respect the letter of the law and embrace the spirit of the game. Test your knowledge and see if you can answer the following question.

September 2, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-16 boys game, red player #12 is getting ready to take a corner kick. Before the corner kick is taken, blue player #3 who is inside his penalty area kicks red player #9.

Answer: Kicking an opponent when the ball is out of play cannot be a foul but is considered violent conduct which is a send off misconduct offense. When a misconduct occurs while the ball is out of play the restart remains the same. Therefore in this case the referee should show the red card to blue player #3, send him off for violent conduct and restart the game with the corner kick. While waiting for a corner kick to be taken, the referee should always be close to the players in the penalty area. This will allow the referee to ensure that the players feel his/her presence and help them avoid misbehaving. Sometimes it is necessary to verbalize a simple reminder – “I’m watching." Provide a quick smile, and say "thank you.”

(See pages 35 and 119 in the 2010-11 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game).

August 26, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-8 boys game, red player #10 removes his shin guards because they bother him and throws them out of the field of play. Immediately after he receives a pass, shoots and scores a goal without the shin guards.

Answer:

Law 4 – The Player’s Equipment states that shin guards are part of the basic mandatory player equipment. Shin guards must be worn at all times in games and practices and should be entirely covered by socks. Removing the shin guards is an infringement which does not require play to be stopped, therefore in this scenario the goal counts.

The referee should ask the player to leave the field of play to correct his equipment and restart the game with a kickoff for the blue team. The player can reenter the field of play when the ball is out of play and his equipment has been checked by the referee. The referee can delegate this type of equipment check to the assistant referees in the pregame conference. In U-8 games referees are providing a lot of teaching of the game to the kids. The referee can explain to the player the safety benefits of wearing the shin guards and then recommend that he wears them at home to get used to them.

(See pages 18 and 19 in the 2010-11 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game).

August 19, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-14 girls game the referee sends off blue player #5 and red player #9 ten minutes into the second half. Red player #9 switches shirts with red player #19 and at the end of the “quarter” gets substituted for red player #3. A couple of minutes later the referee notices that red player #19 is the red player who he sent off earlier.

Answer:

Red player #3 remains the player of record because the red player #19 was sent off while wearing #9, so from that point on she was no longer eligible to participate in the game. Any player who is sent off and goes back into the field of play is considered an outside agent. Therefore, the referee should stop the game, and have the player with the red shirt #19 removed from the field of play. The referee should also caution the substitute who is the official red player #19 for unsporting behavior by switching shirts, show her the yellow card and ask her to wear the red shirt #19.

If in the referee’s opinion the coach knew about the players’ misconduct, switching shirts and intentionally substituted a player who had been sent off, then he should dismiss the coach for irresponsible behavior. Ask red player #3 to get back on the field of play and restart the game with an indirect free kick for the blue team. All of the details must be properly documented in the game report. We recommend that the assistant referee on the side of the team bench always pay attention to the substitutes’ activity in order to prevent this type of misconduct.

(See pages 17, 22, 33 and 60 in the 2010-11 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game and page 25, Section 5.10 in the USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game, 2009-10 edition).

August 12, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-16 boys game, red player #9 makes light contact with the blue team’s goalkeeper as he challenges for the ball. The goalkeeper controls the ball and because he was upset over the contact, he throws it directly at the back of the head of red player #9 who is now 3 yards outside of the penalty area.

Answer:

Carelessly hitting an opponent with the ball is considered a striking foul which is punishable by a direct free kick. In this case, the point of the infraction is considered to be where the ball struck the opponent (or would have struck if the attempt missed). When the ball is in play and a player throws an object or the ball at an opponent in a reckless manner, with complete disregard for the safety of his opponent, he/she should be cautioned for unsporting behavior. If the player throws the object with excessive force, creating danger to his opponent, then he/she should be sent off for violent conduct. Therefore in this scenario the referee should stop play and, depending on his/her opinion, caution or send off the goalkeeper and restart with a direct free kick where the ball made contact with red player #9.

(See pages 32, 34, 35, 109, 115, 119 and 121 in the 2010-11 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game).

August 5, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-19 girls' game, red player #9 is dribbling the ball into the blue team’s penalty area. Blue player #7, attempting to get control of the ball, kicks red player #9 who is able to keep control of the ball and take a shot on goal which then goes over the crossbar.

Answer:

The FIFA Laws of the Game used to include the following paragraph known as International F.A. Board Decision 8 which was included in Law 5 until it was dropped in 1997: "The Laws of the Game are intended to provide that games should be played with as little interference as possible, and in this view it is the duty of referees to penalize only deliberate breaches of the Law. Constant whistling for trifling and doubtful breaches produces bad feeling and loss of temper on the part of the players and spoils the pleasure of spectators."

This statement has been captured in the AYSO Rules and Regulations, section I.D.5, and the spirit, if not the words, of this concept remains at the heart of the Laws and it is applicable to all possible violations of any of the Laws of the Game. As the skill (technical, physical and emotional) level of players increases more player actions become trifling and referees have more opportunities to allow game flow. Kicking the opponent may become a foul if it causes the opponent to lose control of the ball or if it interferes with the opponent’s ability to effectively pass the ball to a teammate or take a shot on goal.

This criterion should be applied regardless of whether the action takes place in or outside the penalty area. n this scenario blue player #7’s action can be considered trifling because red player #9 was able to keep control of the ball and take a shot on goal, so there is no foul to be punished.

However the referee should firmly warn blue player #7 to be careful with her playing and not to kick opponents so players continue to feel safe. If the player continues to kick the opponents the referee may find her guilty of persistent infringement which merits a caution.

(See pages 32, 34 and 110 in the 2010-11 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game and page 22 in the 2009-10 USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game.)

July 29, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-14 boys’ game, before a penalty kick is taken by red player #10, the goalkeeper moves to his right and then to his left while remaining on the goal line. The kick is taken and the goalkeeper deflects the ball over the cross bar. Immediately after, the assistant referee stays in position at the intersection of the goal line and the penalty area line and signals by holding the flag across his lower body.

Answer:

Once the referee whistles for the penalty kick to be taken, the goalkeeper may move from side to side on the goal line but may not move off the goal line either into the field of play or off the field of play (backward) until the ball has been kicked. The goalkeeper may have one or both feet off the ground as long as he/she does not move forward or backward from the plane of the goal line. This goalkeeper movement restriction also applies to the procedure Kicks from the Penalty Mark which is used to determine the winner of a match. In this scenario the goalkeeper did not infringe any Laws so the assistant referee should have not signaled to the referee. Therefore the referee should waive down the signal and project good teamwork and support for the assistant referee by giving him/her a “thumbs up” signal and saying something like, “Thank you. I’ve got it.”

The referee should signal for a corner kick because the ball was last touched by a defender before it left the field of play over the goal line without a goal being scored, and restart the game with a corner kick for the red team. We recommend that the referee team review in the pregame conference the procedures, mechanics and responsibilities for key game incidents such as the penalty kick procedure. The pregame conference helps develop awareness about the game and understanding of individual responsibilities which is good for avoiding misunderstandings and miscommunication.

(See page 48 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game and page 73 in the USSF Advice to the Referees on the Laws of the Game, 2009-10 edition).

July 22, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-14 boys game the blue team’s goalkeeper controls the ball with his feet and as he is clearing it out of the penalty area red player #9, who was challenging for the ball, knocks him down as they collide shoulder to shoulder. The ball is quickly recovered by red player #8 who takes a shot on goal while the goalkeeper is still down on the ground.

Answer:

It is not a foul when two or more opponents make contact as they challenge for the ball in a fair manner and somebody goes down – even a goalkeeper. Shoulder to shoulder contact while challenging for the ball, when it is within playing distance, is allowed so in this scenario there is no foul to be called. However, referees should always ensure that players are safe. If the referee feels that the goalkeeper is not injured then he may choose to let play continue. If the referee feels that the goalkeeper is injured then he should stop play, beckon the coach onto the field to help the goalkeeper, determine whether the goalkeeper may continue after some help from the coach, and restart play with a dropped ball. In determining injuries the referee should always take into account the age of the player(s). And when in doubt give the benefit to the safety of players and stop the game.

(See page 28 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

July 15, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-14 girls' game the red team takes a direct free kick from three yards outside the blue team’s penalty area. The blue team’s goalkeeper jumps up and catches the ball in front of her goal. When she lands both of her feet are over the goal line and she is standing under the goal’s cross bar in between the two posts.

Answer:

The ball is out of play when it has fully crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground, or in the air. The position of the player playing or attempting to play the ball, in this case the goalkeeper, does not matter as long as his/her action is part of normal play. That is the goalkeeper is allowed to leave the field of play as she attempts to catch and play the ball. In this direct free kick scenario, if in the opinion of the referee the ball completely crossed the goal line, then it is out of play. In addition, if the ball went out of play between the goalposts and under the crossbar then the red team scored a goal provided that there was no infringement committed by the red team prior to the scoring of the goal. Therefore, the referee should restart with a kickoff for the blue team. However, if in the opinion of the referee the ball did not completely cross over the goal line then the referee should allow play to continue regardless of the goalkeeper position of her feet.

(See pages 29 and 30 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

July 8, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

A U-16 boys game is being played at the National Games in Florida on field 125. At the seventh minute of the second half, an alligator comes out of the water canal and stares at the kids playing the game.

Answer:

Normally, we don’t anticipate out of the ordinary challenges in tournaments; however, the Polo Grounds in Wellington have several water canals and lakes which serve as alligator habitats. The alligators normally stay in the water but it is possible for them to come out and look around. In this scenario safety becomes critical. Not only are the kids not used to seeing alligators at tournaments but they also may react dangerously to the presence of alligators. We strongly recommend that the referee immediately get everyone, kids and adults away from the alligator, in the direction of the closest building, notify the tournament officials so they can have the professional animal handlers come by and manage the situation. Alligators at a tournament are a good example of how referees should always expect the unexpected.

July 1, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Red player #8 takes a corner kick and as he kicks the ball he also accidentally kicks the corner flag, which comes off the ground and off the field of play. The ball goes into the blue team’s penalty area where red player #11 heads it into the goal for a goal.

Answer:

We mentioned that decisions have to embrace the spirit of the game and this scenario definitely qualifies for this concept. If in the opinion of the referee the flag coming off the ground does not interfere with play or does not become dangerous to any player, then he/she can consider allowing play to continue and replace the flag later. Therefore in this case, the referee should allow the goal to stand, have the flag repositioned and restart with a kick-off for the blue team.

June 24, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Red player #11 is dribbling the ball just inside the blue team’s penalty area. Blue player #2 tries to take the ball away by slide tackling from behind but he misses and does not make contact with the ball or the opponent.

Answer:

There was no foul committed so the referee should let the game continue. However, if the referee feels that blue player #2 attempted the slide tackle in a dangerous manner, he/she should consider providing a verbal warning such as, “Be careful next time. Thank you.” Referees should help players be aware of unacceptable play and influence them into changing their behavior.

(See page 32 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

June 18, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Blue player #7 commits a tactical foul and breaks up an attack by red player #9. When the foul is committed the ball goes to red player #11 who controls the ball and continues the attack close to the blue team’s penalty area. The referee decides to apply advantage and allow play to continue. A minute later, the ball leaves the field of play for a throw-in by the red team. Red #9 quickly gathers the ball and takes the throw-in.

Answer:

The referee has the power to take disciplinary action against players guilty of offences that demand caution and/or sending-off. And he/she is not obligated to take this action immediately when advantage is applied, but must do so at the next stoppage of play. In this scenario the referee should caution blue player #7 for unsportsmanlike behavior (tactical foul). Therefore the referee should quickly blow the whistle harder than normal to get the players attention as the red team has released the ball into the field of play. The referee should then ask the red team to wait for the signal to perform the throw-in, explain to blue player #7 that he is getting cautioned for the tactical foul committed a minute earlier, show him the yellow card and signal to the red team to restart the game with the throw-in. It is important for the referee and assistant referees to stay alert, to remember who needs to be cautioned/sent off when advantage is applied and act on the next stoppage of play.

(See pages 21, 34 and 66 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

June 10, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

The ball is in play when blue player #3 punches red player #10 just outside of the center circle. The referee stops play and sends off blue player #3 for violent conduct. The referee then makes eye contact with the lead assistant referee who gives him a thumbs-up signal. He proceeds to restart the game with a direct free kick for the red team. Ten minutes and several restarts later when the first half ends, the other assistant referee notifies the referee that player #10 punched blue player #3 first which caused the retaliation by blue player #3.

Answer:

The referee has the duty to control the match in cooperation with the assistant referees; therefore, he/she may caution and/or send off a player as soon as he/she learns from an assistant referee the pertinent facts that would justify a disciplinary action.

The caution and/or send off must be given at the time of the misconduct or no later than the next stoppage of play. If the referee fails to do this then he/she cannot later caution and/or send off the player for the related misconduct except in two rare specific circumstances: First, the player may be cautioned or sent off even after the subsequent restart if an assistant referee signaled for misconduct and maintained the signal but the referee did not see it until after the play was restarted. Second, a player may be sent off at any time prior to the end of the game if the player was cautioned a second time without being sent off. Neither of these circumstances occurred in the situation presented. Therefore, in this case the referee cannot send off player #10. However, the referee should notify red player #10 that he/she knows what happened and ask #10 to avoid committing misconduct.

It is recommended that the referee make eye contact with both assistant referees and quickly get input before making critical decisions. If the referee does not check with one or both assistant referees, and they have critical input, it is okay for them to get the referee’s attention and provide the input. The referee makes final decisions, but it helps to have as much input as possible especially in critical situations.

(See page 21 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game and sections 5.13 and 12.26 in the 2009-10 USSF Advice to Referees).

June 3, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

It starts raining before the first half of the game ends and it continues through the halftime. The referee calls both teams to start the second half and the blue team’s coach tells the referee that his team will not play because it is raining heavily.

Answer:

The referee may abandon the match if a team leaves the field of play before the completion of the game. An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules provide otherwise. For example, some competition rules state that if a halftime is completed then the game is considered completed and the results, including score and player disciplinary actions, stand. The referee does not have the authority to decide what the score is or who has won the game. The referee has the responsibility to include in his/her report the details of what caused the match to be abandoned. Referees should try to the best of their ability to help both teams complete the game. Effective communication is the key and with this in mind, we recommend the following:

Be sure it is safe to continue the game and check with the assistant referees. It is okay to gather input from the coaches and others for consideration in making the decision. When in doubt, give the benefit of the doubt to safety.

If the decision is not to continue, let both teams know why and report it.

If the decision is to continue, let both teams know why it is safe.

Let the coaches and players know that you will closely monitor conditions and if it becomes unsafe to continue playing, you will suspend and/or abandon the game.

If a team decides not to continue after you ask them, let them know that you will report their decision and that the match will be reported as abandoned.

(See page 26 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game and page 26 in the 2009-10 USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game).

May 27, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

The referee is managing kicks from the penalty mark to determine a winner. During the third kick from the mark, the referee decides that the kick taken by red player #8 needs to be retaken because the goalkeeper moved forward before the ball was kicked and player #8 kicked the ball over the crossbar. Red player #8 decides not to retake the kick and instead red player #12 comes up to the ball and gets ready to take the kick.

Answer:

The Laws of the Game and the International F.A. Board decisions apply when kicks from the penalty mark are being executed for the purpose of determining a winner. Each kick must be taken by a different player and all eligible players must take a kick before any player can take a kick again. If the red player #12 has not yet taken a kick then he can do the retake of the third kick. If red player #12 took one of the first two kicks then he must wait until all of his eligible teammates take a kick.

(See page 51 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game and page 83 in the 2009-10 USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game).

May 20, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-16 girls game, the coach of the blue team instructs player #11 to switch places with the goalkeeper who is wearing #8 under a penny. Without notifying the referee, the goalkeeper removes her penny and gloves and gives them to player #11. While the exchange of equipment is happening, the red team generates an attack and takes a shot on goal. As the ball is heading towards the blue team’s goal there are two defending blue players standing in their own penalty area, #8 and #11 who is now holding the penny. These players did not intend to deceive the referee or the opponents; they simply did not complete the equipment exchange. Player #8 who was the original goalkeeper stops the shot and collects the ball with her hands.

Answer:

Per Law 3, any of the other players within the same team and on the field of play may exchange places with the goalkeeper, provided that the referee is informed before the change is made and the change is made during a stoppage in the game. These two requirements were not met in the scenario presented so the goalkeeper and player were exchanging places illegally. In addition, both players should be cautioned for unsporting behavior (UB) for changing places without the referee’s permission.

However within the spirit of the game and definitely in all youth games, the referee should always consider other factors including technical skill and knowledge of the game when making decisions. If, in the opinion of the referee, the players did not understand the proper procedure for goalkeeper changes and there was no intention to deceive, then the offense may be considered trifling. In this case the referee should stop the game to allow the new goalkeeper to properly get the equipment on, verbally warn (teach) the players and restart the game with a dropped ball allowing the new goalkeeper to get control of the ball.

However, if in the opinion of the referee the players are knowledgeable about the game then the referee’s decision should be more in line with the letter of the Law. In an intended goalkeeper exchange, performed legally or illegally, the player who has possession of the goalkeeper shirt (penny in this case) is the goalkeeper and therefore is authorized to handle the ball within her own penalty area. In this case, #11 has the goalkeeper penny so she is the goalkeeper.

If the player who collects the ball is no longer the goalkeeper, #8 in this case, she is guilty of deliberately handling the ball in her own penalty area. In this case the referee should stop the play, caution the new goalkeeper for UB, send off #8 who committed the handling offense if it denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity, or caution her for UB if there was no obvious goal scoring opportunity, and restart the game with a penalty kick for the red team.

If the player who collects the ball is the new goalkeeper and she is properly uniformed, the referee should wait until the next time the ball is out of play, caution both players for UB and restart the game per the reason the ball went out of play.

If the new goalkeeper collects the ball but she is not properly uniformed (as in this case where she is simply holding the penny), the referee should stop the game, allow the new goalkeeper to properly get the equipment on, caution both players for UB and restart with an indirect free kick for the red team at the point where the offense occurred.

When in doubt about the intention and knowledge of the players, remember that in youth games there are a lot of opportunities for teaching moments which bring good results in player behavior and development.

(See pages 16 and 115 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game and pages 15, 34 and 56 in the Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game.)

May 13, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

The referee awards a corner kick to the red team. The red team takes the corner kick and the ball bounces off red player #4’s shoulder, landing at the feet of red player #8 who is in an offside position. Red player #8 controls the ball and scores.

Answer:

Right at the taking of the corner kick, a red team player cannot be in an offside position as they are all considered to be in line with, or behind the ball. However, once the ball bounces off red player #4, the referee team needs to start a new evaluation of potential offside, sometimes known as “taking a new snapshot.” At the moment that the ball is touched by red player #4, his teammate #8 is in an offside position because he is now nearest to his opponent’s goal line by being positioned ahead of both the ball and the second to last opponent. When red player #8 who is in an offside position plays the ball, which was last touched by a teammate, he participates by interfering with play. Therefore, the referee should call offside and restart play with an indirect free kick for the blue team.

(See page 31 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

May 6, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-14 boys game, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the blue team outside their penalty area. Blue defender #3 kicks the ball to his goalkeeper so he can send a long pass towards their teammates. The goalkeeper kicks the ball incorrectly and sends it into his own goal.

Answer:

From the taking of an indirect free kick, a goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal. In this case the ball was put into play (first touch) by blue player #3 and then touched by the blue team goalkeeper before entering the goal. The indirect free kick restart ended when the goalkeeper touched the ball, so the goal is valid. The referee should restart the game with a kickoff for the blue team.

(See page 36 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

April 29, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-16 girls game, red player #9 is dribbling the ball towards the opponent’s goal when blue player #6 pulls her shirt just outside the penalty area. Blue #6 continues to pull her shirt as red player #9 keeps dribbling the ball inside the blue team’s penalty area. Red player #9 ends up falling inside the penalty area because of the shirt pulling by blue player #6.There were two other blue team players between their goalkeeper and red player #9.

Answer:

Blue player #6 committed a holding foul by pulling the opponent’s shirt. The foul, which started outside the penalty area, is extended into the penalty area because the blue player kept pulling the shirt of the red player. Therefore the blue player #6 is guilty of committing a holding foul inside her penalty area and the referee should award a penalty kick to the red team. In addition, if in the opinion of the referee the blue player #6 committed a tactical foul by preventing the red player from taking up an advantageous position, then he/she should show the yellow card to blue player #6 and caution her for unsporting behavior.

(See pages 32, 34, 110 and 115 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

April 22, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

The referee awards a direct free kick to the red team just outside the penalty area. There was no quick restart, so the referee, who is managing the situation, indicates to the blue team where the 10 yards distance from the ball is so they can set up their defensive wall. As soon as the blue team players line up, they start jumping up and down in the wall.

Answer:

Players who are within the wall and ready to defend against a free kick restart often jump in order to extend their area of coverage. This action is acceptable as the blue players are not committing any infringements by jumping up and down within the wall. The referee should allow the jumping unless the defending players do it in a manner to be considered unacceptable. Examples of unacceptable behavior include jumping forward and back and therefore failing to respect the required distance for restarting play, or doing any jumping act, such as a handstand, to act in a manner which shows a lack of respect for the game. If the referee considers that a player within the wall is guilty of unsporting behavior, he should caution the player. Children who are under 10 years of age should not be formally cautioned or sent off unless there are exceptional circumstances.

(See pages 34 and 115 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

April 15, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

The referee ends a U-10 girls game by mistake, three minutes before time had fully expired. As the players are leaving the field, the assistant referees let the referee know that he stopped the game early.

Answer:

The referee enforces the Laws of the Game, including Law 7 which requires the teams to play two equal periods per the organization's rules. Therefore in this case, the referee should call the teams back onto the field to play the remaining three minutes. If the ball was already out of play when the referee ended the game, play should resume with the restart appropriate to the reason the ball went out of play. If the referee stopped play to end the game, play should resume with a dropped ball where the ball was when the game was incorrectly stopped. This is unless play was stopped inside the goal area, in which case the ball should be dropped on the goal area line parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped. In cases where the referee incorrectly stops the first period early, first half or first overtime, and the second period has restarted, the referee may not compensate for the timekeeping error by modifying the play time of the second period. In this case, the referee needs to report the error in the referee report. It is very important for the referee team to keep track of time and the referee should check with both assistant referees before ending each period.

(See pages 21, 26, 65 and 96 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

April 8, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-19 boys game with monitored (free) substitution, before restarting the game with a corner kick for the red team, the referee allows blue player #9 to leave the field of play after his coach requests a substitution. The referee does not see that no substitute comes in to replace blue #9 and allows the game to be restarted. Play continues and as the players go by the bench area, blue player #9 sticks his foot into the field of play and trips a red player.

Answer:

For the substitution of blue player #9 to be completed, a substitute needs to enter the field of play, at which point the substitute becomes a player and blue #9 becomes a substituted player. Since no substitute entered the game, blue #9 is still an active player. Therefore blue #9 is guilty of tripping the opponent on the field of play. The referee should stop play and restart the game with a direct free kick for the red team. If in the opinion of the referee, blue #9 reentered the field of play without his/her permission, then he should show the yellow card to blue #9 and caution him. In addition, if in the opinion of the referee blue #9 committed the tripping foul in a reckless manner, then he should be shown the yellow card, cautioned for unsporting behavior and, since this would be the second caution, shown the red card and sent off for receiving a second caution. Note that while the Laws definitely give the referee the ability to caution twice in this case and thereby send off blue #9, it is up to the referee to make the final decision as to whether each case of misconduct really deserves a caution, and whether a send-off is the best choice to preserve match control and protect the spirit of the game. This incident demonstrates the importance for referees to make sure that the substitution process is completed before restarting the game. At a minimum, referees should always know where the players are and what they are doing.

(See pages 16, 32, 34, 35, 61 and 115 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

April 1, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-16 girls game, blue #5 commits a pushing foul in the seventh minute which the referee penalizes with a direct free kick for the red team. In the ninth minute, the same player commits a kicking foul and the referee awards a direct free kick to the red team after having a brief but firm talk with blue player #5. Then in the 10th minute, blue #5 kicks a red player just outside the penalty area.

Answer:

Blue player #5 is guilty of persistent infringement (PI) because she repeatedly committed fouls. The referee did well in warning blue #5 after the second foul, but she chose not to change her behavior. Therefore when blue #5 commits the third foul, the referee should stop play, show the yellow card to blue #5, caution her for PI and restart the game with a direct free kick for the red team. PI is a sure source of frustration for all players, primarily for the ones receiving the fouls, but also for the teammates of the players committing the fouls as the game is constantly stopped. In addition, frustration on the field of play tends to spill over to the sidelines adding unnecessary challenges for the referee team.

All fouls, including those in which advantage has been applied, should be tracked throughout the game to identify and manage PI. The referee can do this mentally or record the fouls in the record book and the assistant referees can help with this task. There is no specific number of offenses which constitutes PI so the referee should judge and determine possible PI in the context of effective game management. In youth games PI is most commonly associated with individual players when they keep committing careless fouls. However, teams with a higher level of negative gamesmanship sometimes use a team PI tactic, where different players take turns fouling the same opponent, in order to slow down or stop a player who is playing effectively against them. In a series of team fouls for PI, once the referee decides that this tactic is being used, the referee may caution the most recent player committing the foul even if that player previously has not committed any other foul. Referees need to be aware of PI and deal with it in every game.

(See pages 32, 34 and 117 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game and page 57 in the USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game 2010.)

March 25, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

A penalty kick is awarded to the red team. Red player #10 takes the kick and the ball is going towards the goal. Just before the ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar, blue team defender #3, who ran into the penalty area after the ball was kicked, pushes a red player to the ground.

Answer:

At the penalty kick the ball is in play when it is kicked forward. The pushing offense happened when the ball is in play and just before a goal is potentially scored. Since there is a good chance that a goal can be scored, the referee should consider applying advantage to the red team and wait a few seconds to see if the ball goes into the net, and then should award the goal. After applying advantage, if the goal is not scored, then the referee may whistle for the pushing foul committed by blue player #3 and restart the game with a penalty kick for the red team. If the referee considers that blue player #3 is guilty of unsporting behavior, because in her/his opinion he was not challenging for the ball when he pushed the opponent, she/he may show the yellow card and caution him.

(See pages 32, 34 and 115 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

March 18, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-8 boys game the blue team goalkeeper for the first half becomes field player #6 for the second half. Early in the second half, when the ball is played to him, he forgets that he is no longer the goalkeeper and picks up the ball inside his own penalty area.

Answer:

Cooperation between coaches and referees is essential in maintaining an environment conducive to learning for the players. The lessons young players learn from the referees will long endure after win/loss records are forgotten. In this case, since the players are younger, the referee could use this situation to teach players the first time it happens. Here is a recommendation for how to use this scenario as a teaching moment:

Blow the whistle in a gentle manner.
In a friendly manner, explain to player #6 not to pick up the ball.
Explain the reason to players/captains and if needed, the coaches.
Explain that if it happens again, handling will be called.
Use a dropped ball to restart the game.

March 11, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-19 boys game, blue player #3 controlled the ball inside the penalty area and deliberately kicked it to his goalkeeper, hoping that he would kick it away to a teammate. The goalkeeper deliberately handled the ball which was passed to him by blue player #3 inside the goal area. Therefore, the referee correctly blew the whistle and raised his arm to signal for an indirect free kick for the red team. Immediately the goalkeeper dropped the ball, and red player #9 placed the ball inside the goal area on a spot close to where the goalkeeper handled the ball, and before the referee could do anything, he passed it to red player #10 who kicked it over the goal line and wide of the goal.

Answer:

Per Law 12, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team when the goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, touches the ball after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate. Per Law 13, when an indirect free kick is awarded to the attacking team inside the opponent’s goal area, it must be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.

In this situation, the restart was performed inside the goal area so the game was not restarted correctly. The referee should briefly explain the “how” and the “need” to correctly restart the game. Regardless of the outcome of the incorrect restart, the game should be restarted with an indirect free kick for the red team from the correct position of the ball per Law 13. Referees should always be ready to quickly manage all game situations, especially those with the potential for confusion.

Recommendations for avoiding the problem presented in this situation:

Referee should be close to play.

Whistle for the foul.

Quickly and clearly, verbalizing if needed, point to the spot on the goal area line where the ball should be placed for the restart.

Make sure that the ball is properly positioned.

Read the possible intent for a quick restart and allow it to happen.

If needed, follow the steps for a ceremonial restart in order to ensure that the restart is done correctly.

(See pages 33, 37 and 112 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game, and page 70 in the USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game 2009-10 edition.)

March 4, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

As the referee is following play, he trips and ends up with his face to the ground. While the referee is down, red player #10 kicks the ball towards the blue team’s goal. The ball hits the cross bar, lands completely past the goal line outside of the field of play and between the two goalposts, and then it rebounds back onto the field of play. The assistant referee sees the entire action and believes a goal has been scored. The referee gets up but does not know a goal has been scored.

Answer:

Per Law 5, if a referee is temporarily incapacitated for any reason, play may continue under the supervision of the assistant referee until the ball next goes out of play. And per Law 6, the assistant referee should indicate when the whole of the ball leaves the field of play. Since in the opinion of the assistant referee, the whole of the ball passed over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, a goal was scored. In this case because the referee did not see the goal scored, the assistant referee should provide help and indicate the goal by raising the flag above his head until the referee stops play, then immediately lowering the flag and running toward the halfway line, making eye contact with the referee to visually confirm that the ball went across the goal line.

(See pages 25, 27, 30, 65 and 83 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

February 25, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Early in the second half of a U-16 girls game, red #11 scores a goal and the game is restarted with a kick-off for the blue team. One minute before the game ends, with the score 1-0 in favor of the red team, red #11 commits a pushing foul inside the center circle. Just before the blue team restarts the game with a direct free kick, the assistant referee notifies the referee that red #11 was in an offside position when she received the ball from a teammate and scored the goal.

Answer:

Per Law 5 - The referee cannot change the decision on the goal scored by red #11 because play was restarted with a kick-off for the blue team. Therefore, the information provided by the assistant referee no longer has bearing on the previous decision. So the referee should allow the goal to stand and restart with a direct free kick for the blue team for the pushing foul. Every now and then, the referee team does not communicate in a timely and/or effective manner. In this case the assistant referee seemed to understand the offside concept but did not notify (signal with the flag) the referee when red #11 interfered with play just before scoring the goal. There could be various reasons why the assistant referee did not communicate with the referee when needed so there are a lot of related topics to review and discuss.

Fun, valuable training sessions which deal with teamwork and communications are available through your Region, so please participate in the next referee training session near you. For now, here are a couple of recommendations to improve referee teamwork.

In the pregame discussion, make sure that both assistant referees know that they need to assist the referee and feel comfortable and encouraged to assist the referee including signaling offside, fouls and misconducts.

Briefly review the offside key concepts during the pregame.

Throughout the game make good eye contact with the assistant referees, especially after key incidents and/or actions such as a goal. This will help the referee determine, with assistance from the assistant referees, if a decision needs to be changed before restarting the game.

Acknowledge all signals/input/action taken provided by the assistant referees as it will help them feel as part of the team.

At halftime and after the game, thank the assistant referees and ask them to continue providing good and timely assistance.

(See page 22, 31, 32 and 100 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

February 18, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-14 boys game, red player #6 is ready to take a throw-in. He throws the ball to his coach saying "this ball is no good. Give me another one." The coach grabs another ball and hands it to red #6 who then takes the throw-in with the new ball.

Answer:

Law 2 - The Ball, states that the ball may not be changed during the match without the authority of the referee. Furthermore, Law 5 - The Referee, states that it is the duty of the referee to ensure that the ball to be used meets the requirements of Law 2. Therefore, the game cannot be permitted to continue until the referee has accepted the replacement ball. In this scenario, the referee should stop play, inspect the ball, and if it complies with the requirements of Law 2, then have the throw-in retaken.

When available, additional balls may be placed around the field of play for use during a match provided the referee pre-approves them and their use remains under the control of the referee. Usually the additional balls are placed just outside the field near the goal or given to ball-kids who provide them to players when the ball leaves the field of play.

Recommendation: When the game has just one approved ball, as soon as you hear the player requesting a new ball, get involved in managing the situation. Manage the ball replacement quickly to avoid time wasting and have the game restarted as soon as possible to avoid frustration.

(See page 13, 21 and 58 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

February 11, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

With two minutes to go in a U-19 boys game, the red player #9 scores a goal to make the score 2-1 in favor of the blue team. The blue team goalkeeper picks up the ball and starts exiting the net area when red #9 tries to grab the ball forcefully from the blue keeper. As both players struggle for the ball, red #9 pushes the blue goalkeeper, inside the blue team's penalty area, takes the ball and sprints towards the center circle.

Answer:

The referee should show the yellow card to red #9 and caution him for unsporting behavior - pushing the blue goalkeeper. Since the red team scored, the referee should restart the game with a kick-off for the blue team. The referee team must have an awareness of potential problems throughout the game so they can take preventive action and keep players under control. In this scenario, the referee should be thinking that if the red team scores, they will want to restart the game quickly so they will have a chance to score again. At the same time, the blue team could decide to waste time as there are only two minutes left in the game. This could generate frustration and crate additional problems between players from both teams.
The referee should do the following as soon as the goal is scored:

Stay very close to the goal keeper and other players.
Ask the red team players to go to their half of the field.
Ask the blue team to quickly bring the ball to the halfway line.
If needed, take the ball and bring it up to the halfway line.
Get the game restarted as quickly as possible.

This process will help the referee project a sense of urgency to get the game restarted which will help keep the red team under control.

(See page 10, 27 and 34 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

February 4, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-10 boys game, the blue team is awarded a goal kick. A blue team defender places the ball on the goal line with part of it outside the field of play and part of it inside the goal area. The blue player kicks the ball towards a teammate who is standing near the corner flag. The ball rolls down the goal line, leaving the penalty area and then, completely goes out of the field of play over the goal line just before reaching the teammate.

Answer:

The ball is properly placed for a goal kick to be taken if part of it is on any point within the goal area. And the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area. In this case both of the conditions stated above were present so the ball was properly placed for the restart and correctly put in play. After the ball was in play, it left the field of play over the goal line, last touched by a defending, blue player. Therefore, the referee should restart with a corner kick for the red team.

(See page 46, 48 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

January 28, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-19 girls game, red player #10 is ready to take a penalty kick during regulation time. After the referee signals, but before the penalty kick is taken, the blue goalkeeper moves to her left without stepping off the goal line. While the goalkeeper is moving, the red player kicks the ball and the goalkeeper deflects it over the crossbar.

Answer:

At the taking of a penalty kick, or kicks from the penalty mark, goalkeepers must remain on the goal line facing the kicker, but may move laterally along the goal line between the goalposts until the ball is kicked. Therefore, in this scenario, the goalkeeper made a good save and the referee should restart the game with a corner kick for the red team. If the goalkeeper moves forward off the goal line before the ball is kicked and the shot does not score, the penalty kick must be retaken.

(See page 19, section Penalty Kick - Goalkeeper Movement, in the AYSO Guidance for Referees and Coaches - 2009, and page 73, section 14.4 Goalkeeper Movement in the USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game - 2009-10.)

January 21, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-14 game, with the ball out of play, red player #5 is seen to be complaining to the referee about something. Red player #5 grows more animated while the referee tries to speak with him. The player is then heard using offensive language. The referee then reaches into his shirt pocket, pulls out his book and shows the player a card. The red team coach sees that the card is yellow but is surprised when the player leaves the field and the referee whistles for the restart. The coach challenges the referee and tells him that players are not sent off for a yellow card (caution). Several players complain to the referee and ask him why he is sending the player off when he only showed him a yellow card. The referee then realizes that he pulled both cards out, one in front of the other.

Answer:

It is the referee's decision that takes precedence, not the color of the card that is displayed. A player, substitute or substituted player should be sent off if he is guilty of using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures. So in this case, red player #5 should be sent off because, in the judgment of the referee, the language used was offensive. However, confusion remains because the referee accidentally showed both cards at the same time.

Recommendation: The referee should quickly explain that he pulled both cards by accident and mistakenly showed the yellow card, explain the reason for the send off to red player #5, show him the red card again so it is clear to all, ask him to leave the field of play, and then restart the game as appropriate to the reason the ball was out of play. A good technique to avoid pulling out both cards is to keep the red card in one of the back pockets on the shorts and the yellow card in one of the front pockets of the shirt.

(See pages 35 and 120 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

January 14, 2010

Answer:

It is the referee's decision that takes precedence, not the color of the card that is displayed. A player, substitute or substituted player should be sent off if he is guilty of using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures. So in this case, red player #5 should be sent off because, in the judgment of the referee, the language used was offensive. However, confusion remains because the referee accidentally showed both cards at the same time.

Recommendation: The referee should quickly explain that he pulled both cards by accident and mistakenly showed the yellow card, explain the reason for the send off to red player #5, show him the red card again so it is clear to all, ask him to leave the field of play, and then restart with an indirect free kick for the opposing team from the position where the offense occurred. A good technique to avoid pulling out both cards is to keep the red card in one of the back pockets on the shorts and the yellow card in one of the front pockets of the shirt.

(See pages 35 and 120 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

January 6, 2010

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Red player #8 is ready to put the ball back into play with a throw in. Her teammate, red player #12, is standing inside the penalty area with just the blue team goalkeeper between her and the opponent's goal line. Red player #8 sees this and makes the throw-in in her teammate's direction. The ball deflects off a defending blue player and goes to red player #12 who controls it and scores.

Answer:

There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from a throw-in. In this scenario, although the ball deflected off the defender, it is still considered to have gone directly to red player #12 from a throw-in. Therefore, the goal is good and the referee should restart the game with a kick off for the blue team. However, if the ball had instead deflected off a red teammate to red player #12, then the referee should consider a probable offside offense by red player #12.

(See pages 27, 31 and 59 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

December 17, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

During the stoppage of play in a U-16 game with monitored substitution in place, the referee is informed that the blue team wants to substitute players. Four blue players leave the field and, following the referee's signal, three blue substitutes enter the field. The referee restarts the game without realizing that the blue team is short one player. The coach notices that one-too-many players left the field so, with play under way, he asks blue player #5, who was one of the players that exited the field, to go back into the game. Blue player #5 goes into the game without interfering with play and the assistant referee is the only official who is aware of this situation.

A few minutes later, blue player #5 scores a goal. Before the game is restarted, the assistant referee calls the referee to let him know that blue #5 had entered the field without permission during the substitution.

Answer:

When the referee allowed the substitutions to take place, he provided permission for the blue players, including player #5, to leave the field. Under the Laws of the Game, blue player #5 remained a player because no substitute entered the field to replace him, even though he was off the field of play for some time. When blue player #5 ran onto the field, technically speaking, he re-entered the field of play without the referee's permission, which is considered a cautionable offense under Law 12. However, since the team was playing short one player and because the player quickly got back into the game without interfering with play, this action can be considered a trifling infringement and therefore it can be ignored by the referee. The goal scored by blue player #5 counts and therefore the game should be restarted with a kick-off for the red team.

Recommendation: The referee and assistant referee should manage the substitutions in order to ensure that the proper process is used. When multiple players are requesting substitutions the assistant referee can identify and count the players before signaling for a substitution to the referee. Then the assistant referee and the referee if needed, can identify and count the players that are leaving the game and make sure that the correct number of players gets substituted.

(See pages 16, 17 and 59 in the 2009/2010 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

December 10, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

While the ball is in play but not within playing distance of both players, blue player #3 impedes the progress of red player #10, slowing him down and stopping him from getting to the ball. The referee blows the whistle and signals for an indirect free kick for the red team. As the referee is indicating the direction of the restart, red player #10 pushes blue player #3 in a non-violent manner.

Answer:

The referee should quickly, with a sense of urgency, get close to both players and get their attention. This will help avoid further retaliation from both players. Then the referee should show the yellow card to red player #10 for unsporting behavior, pushing the opponent in a non-violent manner. It is recommended for the referee to have a brief talk with both players to ensure they will change their behavior. And finally, the referee should restart the game with the indirect free kick for the red team because of the infringement committed by blue player #3, impeding the progress of an opponent.

(See pages 33, 34 and 114 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

December 3, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Red player #11 fell inside the penalty area as he was dribbling the ball and blue player #2 was defending him. The referee blew the whistle and awarded a penalty kick to the red team because, in his opinion, blue player #2 tripped red player #11. The boy who fell got up and told the referee that he was not touched by the defender, but had actually tripped on his own as he tried to kick the ball.

Answer:

The referee may not change a decision after the game has been restarted. However, in this scenario, the game had not yet been restarted (the penalty kick had not been taken). Therefore, the referee may change his decision and correctly restart with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when play was stopped. If play was stopped inside the goal area, then the referee should drop the ball on the goal area line parallel to and six yards from the goal line at the point nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.
Two key things to remember:

1. It is acceptable to make referee decisions based on players honesty.

2. If the referee has not restarted play, any decision made prior to the restart may be changed, no matter what the infringement.

(See pages 28 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

November 19, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Red player #9 dribbles the ball into the penalty area as blue defender #4 is running side by side with him. The red player kicks the ball away from the goal and towards the goal line. Before the ball leaves the field of play, blue player #4 pushes red player #9 who falls down.

Answer:

Referees must evaluate situations and consider possible foul and/or misconduct actions. If the referee believes that blue player #4 pushed red player #9 in a manner considered to be careless, reckless or using excessive force, then a direct free kick foul has occurred. In this case, red player #9 was fouled while in the blue team's penalty area so the referee should stop the game, and signal with the arm pointing to the penalty mark to indicate that a penalty kick has been awarded. Since the ball had been kicked away before the foul occurred there was no denial of a goal scoring opportunity.

However if the players are U-12 or older, and if the referee considers that the foul occurred in a reckless manner or with the use of excessive force, then the foul also constitutes misconduct. If the foul is judged to be reckless (e.g. complete disregard for the safety of the opponent), the referee should show the yellow card to blue player #4 and caution him for unsporting behavior. If the foul is judged to have been committed using excessive force (e.g. far exceeding the necessary force and in danger of injuring the opponent), the referee should show the red card to and send off blue player #4 for serious foul play. If the players are U-10 or younger, the referee should mentor blue player #4 with verbal admonishment.

(See pages 10, 32, 34, 35, 40, 109, 118 and 124 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game, pages 15 - Direct Free Kick Fouls and 19 - The Penalty Kick in the AYSO Guidance for Referees and Coaches 2009 edition.)

November 12, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-19 boys game, the referee stops play for a holding offense committed by blue team player #3 in the middle of the field. The red team requests a substitution, and the referee motions the substitute, red player #12, to enter the field. The substitute enters the field. Then red player #7, who was identified to be substituted and who has not yet left the field of play, strikes an opponent.

Answer:

Referees need to follow the proper substitution procedure as it helps avoid problems. In this scenario, the referee did not follow the proper substitution procedure as red player #12 was allowed to enter the field of play before red player #7 had left. However, the substitution was completed because red player #12 received permission from the referee and entered the field of play, becoming a player of record. Therefore, red player #7 is considered a substituted player from the moment the referee authorized the substitution and red player #12 entered the field.

The referee must show the red card to red player #7 and send him off for violent conduct. Since red player #7 was a substituted player when he committed the violent conduct, the red team does not have to play with one less player. The game should be restarted with the direct free kick in favor of the red team per the holding offense committed by the blue team.

Recommendations: The referee should have an awareness of potential player frustration. Players who are asked to be substituted may project frustration triggered by an opponent's provocation and/or a sense of "I'm not happy to be substituted so let me do something about it!" It is recommended for the referee to focus on the player to be substituted, and if needed, accompany him to his bench so that he will not get involved in misconduct.

The assistant referees can help manage the substitution process, so discuss the role of each official during the pregame discussion. In this scenario, the assistant referee on the side of the team requesting the substitution could have held the new player from entering the field of play until red player #7 had left the field.

(See pages 16, 25, 32, 59 and 77 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

November 5, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Red player #11, who is in an offside position, turns her back towards the opponent's goal and makes no attempt to play the ball as the ball rolls past her after being passed by a teammate. Blue defender #3 runs past red player #11, gets possession of the ball a few yards past the offside player, and turns up field dribbling it. Red player #11 immediately challenges the blue player and tries to tackle the ball away.

Answer:

The red player #11 who is in an offside position may become onside if the blue opponent plays (meaning possessed and controlled, not simply deflected) or gains possession of the ball.

In this scenario the referee should judge and determine if blue player #3 gained control of the ball. Since the blue player got possession of the ball, turned up field and dribbled the ball, she had control of the ball. Therefore red player #11 is now back onside and may challenge for the ball. The referee should allow play to continue.

(See pages 31 and 100 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game; pages 40 and 44 in the USSF Advice to the Referees on the Laws of the Game, 2009-10 edition.)

October 29, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Blue player #7 commits three separate fouls and is cautioned by the referee for persistent infringement. Two minutes later, the referee stops the game because the same player commits a foul which was his second consecutive foul after being cautioned.

Answer:

Persistent infringement occurs when a player repeatedly commits fouls or certain other infringements. There is no specific number of infringements which constitutes “persistent infringement.” The referee should judge and determine persistent infringement in the context of effective game management. The blue team player was cautioned for persistent infringement yet committed two more fouls. In this case, the referee should first show the blue player the yellow card, caution him again for persistent infringement, and then show him the red card and send him off for receiving a second caution in the same game. Restart the game as appropriate for the foul that was committed.

Referees should expect a caution to generate desirable results for player and/or game management.

Recommendation: When the referee gives the first caution, a clear and firm verbal warning should be given to the player to help them modify their behavior. The referee should check for understanding by asking the player if she understands the problem and explaining the consequences of continuing with the unacceptable behavior.

(See pages 34, 35, and 117 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game and pages 55 and 57 in the USSF Advice to the Referees on the Laws of the Game, 2009-10 edition.)

October 22, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

In a U-12 game, the goalkeeper caught the ball from a shot and controlled it in her hands. While running towards the edge of the penalty area, she accidentally dropped the ball. She picked up the ball while still inside the penalty area. Then she proceeded to kick the ball away to her teammates.

Answer:

The keeper committed an offense by touching the ball again with her hands after she had released it from her possession and before it was touched by another player. However, the goalkeeper accidentally released the ball; therefore, this action can be considered a trifling infringement. The referee can call the offense but if in the opinion of the referee the offense is trifling, then the referee should not call it. Soccer is a fast-paced game that should flow with a minimum of interruptions. Referees have and should use their authority and flexibility to determine whether or not to stop play.

(See pages 33 and 112 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game, page 5 in the AYSO Guidance for Referees and Coaches - 2009 Edition.)

October 15, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

A red team attacker with clear possession of the ball has penetrated the blue team's defense and is on a breakaway attack in the blue team's half of the field when the referee notices that a blue player is lying on the ground.

Answer:

This decision must be made quickly and with due consideration to the age level of the players. Younger players seldom simulate injury to affect the outcome of the game and referees must take this into consideration when making the decision. Even if the players are older, the referee must put the welfare of the player first when deciding what to do.

The referee must quickly determine whether the player on the ground is injured, assess the potential level of the injury and take action as appropriate.

Play should be stopped immediately if:

In the opinion of the referee, the player is seriously injured.

The referee has doubt as to the level of the injury, in which case the player should be considered to be seriously injured.

With older players, if the referee decides that the injury is minor then play should be allowed to continue until either the ball goes out of play or the referee can stop play without affecting the outcome of the match.

If instead the referee does stop play immediately for an injury that was not caused by a foul, the game should be restarted with a dropped ball where the ball was when play was stopped.

If the referee determines that a foul occurred, the game should be restarted in accordance with the foul, and if appropriate, disciplinary action should be taken (e.g. caution, send-off).

(See pages 21, 67, and 68 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

October 8, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Red team player #9 falls to the ground after being held by blue team player #4 in the middle of the field. The player rolls around grabbing his/her ankle while screaming at the referee that the opponent should be cautioned. The referee decides that the player is faking the injury.

Answer:

The referee should stop the game and depending on the player's age, show the yellow card to red team player #9 for attempting to deceive the referee by feigning injury (simulation), which is an unsporting behavior offense. If the player is under 12 years of age, the referee should avoid using cards, and instead deliver a short but firm verbal admonishment to player #9. Regardless of the age, the referee should then restart the game with a direct free kick in favor of the red team as blue team player #4 committed a holding offense.

(See pages 32, 34, 110 and 115 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game, and pages 29-30 in the AYSO Basic Soccer Rules publication.)

October 1, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Red team attacker #12 dribbles the ball into the penalty area with an obvious goal scoring opportunity as he faces the goalkeeper from the blue team. Just before he takes a shot on goal, blue team defender #3 catches up with the attacker and takes him down by tackling him with excessive force, causing the attacker to lose control of the ball inside the penalty area.

Answer:

Blue defender #3 committed two sending-off offenses, one is serious foul play (SFP) for using excessive force against the opponent, and the other one is denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) to an opponent moving towards the blue team's goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or penalty kick. SFP is the more serious offense of the two; therefore, the referee should stop the game, show the red card to the blue player #3 for SFP and restart it with a penalty kick for the red team. In addition, the referee must report SFP as the reason for the send-off of blue player #3.

(See pages 32, 35, 109, 118 and 122 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

September 24, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

A direct free kick (DFK) is awarded to the red team just outside their penalty area. The red team player #7, who is not the goalkeeper, takes the DFK and miss-kicks the ball, sending it in the direction of his own goal. The red team player #7 realizes that the ball is headed for his own net and runs to the ball in an attempt to stop it before it enters the goal. While inside his penalty area, red team player #7 dives and deflects the ball with his hand over the goal line, preventing it from going into his goal.

Answer:

The red team player #7 did not deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity as a team cannot score a goal, from a DFK into its own goal. If the ball would have gone into the goal, without anybody touching it, a corner kick would have been awarded to the opposing team. However, the red team player #7 who originally takes the DFK, deliberately handles the ball inside his penalty area before it touched another player. In this case, the player who handled the ball is not the goalkeeper; therefore, the referee should stop the game and restart it with a penalty kick for the opposing team. If the red team's goalkeeper would have taken the original DFK and then handled the ball inside his own penalty area, before it was touched by another player, an indirect free kick would have been awarded to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred. In addition, depending on the age of the players, the referee may decide that the red team player #7 is guilty of unsporting behavior and therefore caution the player.

(See pages 35-39 in the 2009/2010 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game).

September 17, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

An attacking red team player, who is adjusting his shirt, grabs the bottom of it with both hands as the ball is played to him. He "catches" the ball with the bottom of his shirt (as a basket), without touching the ball with his hands, then he releases the ball from the shirt to his feet and kicks it into the goal?

Answer:

The bottom of his shirt became an extension of the hands as the red team player was holding it with his hands and made a "basket." Therefore, the red team player is guilty of handling the ball. The referee should stop the game and restart it with a direct free kick for the blue team from the place where the offense occurred. In this case, if the infraction (handling the ball deliberately) occurred inside the blue team's penalty area, then all opponents must be at least 10 yards from the ball and remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play, which requires for it to be kicked directly out of the penalty area.

In addition, depending on the age of the players and if, in the opinion of the referee, the red team player intentionally used the "basket," that is deliberately handled the ball, to prevent an opponent from gaining possession, then before restarting the game the referee should caution the red team player for unsporting behavior.

(See pages 32, 37 and 111 in the 2009/2010 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

September 10, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

A red team player takes a corner kick and the ball is going into the upper corner of the goal. Just before the ball is about to go into the goal, a blue team defender standing by the goal post, grabs the post, pulls himself higher and heads the ball away into the field of play to a teammate heading up the field?

Answer:

Per Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct: The blue team player denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) by committing an offense punishable by a free kick (indirect free kick in this case). Therefore, the referee should stop the game, show the red card to the blue team player, send him off for DOGSO, and restart the game with an indirect free kick for grabbing and using the goal post to pull himself up and reach the ball (this offense is one of those "other offences not previously mentioned in Law 12 for which play is stopped to caution or send off a player"). The indirect free kick should be in favor of the red team, on the goal area line parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.

(See pages 33, 35, 37, 110, 111, and 122 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

September 3, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

A penalty kick is awarded to the red team. A red player takes the kick and the ball is going towards the goal. Just before the ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar, a teammate of the red player, who ran into the penalty area after the ball was kicked, trips a blue player?

Answer:

At the taking of the penalty kick, once the ball is kicked forward, the ball is in play. In the situation described, the tripping offence occurs before the goal is scored. Even though there was a great chance for a goal to be scored, in this case there is no advantage to consider as the player committing the tripping foul is a teammate of the attacker taking the penalty kick.

It may also be that this player is also guilty of unsporting behavior if, in the opinion of the referee, he was not challenging for the ball when he tripped the opponent.

Depending on the age of players, in situations where players are guilty of fouls or misconduct away from the ball, the referee must be very aware of possible escalation of frustration and/or physical retaliation. Therefore, if in his opinion, the player needs to be cautioned for unsporting behavior, the referee should stop the game, and consider if he needs to project a sense of urgency and show the yellow card immediately. In either case the proper restart is a direct free kick in favor of the blue team.

(See pages 32, 34, 35, 118 and 119 in the 2009-10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

August 27, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

With about one minute left to play in the game, a direct free kick is awarded to the red team. One of the blue team defenders picks up the ball and, although he is carrying it generally toward the location of the restart, he resists having the ball taken from him by a player on the red team.

Answer:

Once the direct free kick is indicated by the referee, the red team has the right to take the kick immediately. The blue team player has the obligation to leave the ball alone or pick it up and give it to the red team.

The blue team player carrying the ball is guilty of delaying the restart of the game because his actions could be denying the red team its right to a quick restart.

In addition, by resisting to give the ball to the red team immediately, the blue team player may cause the red team player (and others) to get frustrated.

A frustrated red team player may take physical action against the player with the ball and you may end up with several players involved in a "group-hug" (melee where several players may shout, push, etc.).

To avoid the potential player frustration and possible melee, quickly approach the blue team player with the ball, verbalize to the blue team player, "Give me the ball. Thank you," show the yellow card to the blue team player carrying the ball, caution him for delaying the restart of play, and restart the game with the direct free kick in favor of the red team.

(See pages 34 and 117 in the 2009/10 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

August 20, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

An attacking player, Blue #11, with an obvious goal scoring opportunity, advances with the ball into the opponent's penalty area.

A defensive player, White #3, throws one of his shoes at the ball, deflecting the ball wide of the goal.

Answer:

In this case, the shoe is considered an extension of the player's hand; therefore, White #3 has deliberately handled the ball inside the penalty area.

Show the red card to White #3 for denying the opposing team an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball and send him off.

Restart the game with a penalty kick against the white team for the handball offense.

(See pages 32, 35 and 111 in the 2009/2010 AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

August 13, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

While recording the information for green player #5 after cautioning and showing him the yellow card for a reckless challenge, the referee decides the player is dissenting his decision.

Answer:

Show the yellow card to green player #5 for dissenting, and then show the red card to the player before sending him off for committing a second cautionable offense.

Restart the game with the direct free kick against the green team for the reckless challenge.

(See page 34 in current AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

Good Refereeing:

During the process of cautioning, the referee must try to calm down the player in order to help her avoid a quick, emotional, second caution which results in a send off.

The referee should talk to the player, checking for understanding of the committed misconduct.

Examples of things to say after explaining the reason for the caution:

"We need you to be safe. OK? Thank you."

"Are we good? Thank you."

August 6, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

The referee blows the whistle for a foul against Team A.

Then the coach of Team A steps on the field of play and continues to protest the call?

Answer:

Inform the coach that this behavior is unacceptable and will have to be reported.

Ask him to return to the designated coaching area.

Report the coach's action to the proper tournament authority by documenting the incident in the game report.

Do not restart the game until the coach has returned to his designated coaching area.

Restart the game with the free kick against Team A for the original foul.

(See page 52 in current AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

July 30, 2009

What should the referee do, and how is play restarted if...

Blue #12 commits a cautionable offense but the referee applies advantage allowing play to continue.

A minute later, the ball leaves the field for a throw in by the red team.

Red #9 quickly gathers the ball, and, seeing a possible goal scoring opportunity, appears eager to perform the throw in.

Answer:

The caution must be issued at the next stoppage of game.

The referee should delay the throw-in, issue the caution to Blue #12 and display the yellow card and then allow the throw-in restart to occur.

(See the last item on pages 21 and 66 in the AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game.)

July 23, 2009

What should the Referee do, and how is play restarted if...

There is contact at mid-field between two opponents.
The referee stops play for a foul and signals for a direct free kick.
The referee immediately realizes he has signaled in the wrong direction.
The ball has NOT been put back into play.

Answer: The referee should stop the taking of the kick, announce to players nearby that he's made a mistake, signal in the correct direction and restart with a direct free kick. In keeping with the spirit of the game, the referee might choose to delay the taking of the kick briefly to allow the defending team to recover, which they likely would have done had he signaled correctly in the first place. (See 5.14 of USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game.)

July 16, 2009

What should the referee do and how is play restarted if...

A blue defender just outside the blue team's penalty area starts holding a red attacker who is dribbling toward the blue team's goal. However, while still being held by the blue defender, the red attacker manages to get into the blue team's penalty area before losing control of the ball to the blue team defender?

Answer: Stop play and restart with a penalty kick for the red team (see page 109 in current AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game).
The blue team's goalkeeper makes a save by controlling the ball with her hands, then releases the ball into play and dribbles it outside her penalty area. An opposing red team player quickly approaches, causing the goalkeeper to turn and dribble the ball back into the penalty area, where she picks up the ball with her hands?

Answer: Stop play and award an indirect free kick to the red team where the blue goalkeeper picked up the ball with her hands (see page 111 in current AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game).
A red team player takes a throw in and the ball is going directly into the blue team's goal. The blue team's goalkeeper attempts to catch the ball, but misses it completely. Then another blue team player punches the ball over the crossbar, out of play?

Answer: Caution the blue team player who punched the ball and award a penalty kick to the red team. Note: An obvious goal-scoring opportunity was not denied because a goal cannot be scored directly against the opponents from a throw-in.
Just before the red team scores a goal, the trailing assistant referee, out of sight of the referee, signals because a red team player violently kicked an opponent near midfield. Just before play is restarted with the kick off for blue, the referee notices the assistant referee is still signaling for the infraction?

Answer: Disallow the goal, send off the red team player for violent conduct and restart with a direct free kick for the blue team at the point of the infraction (see page 22 in current AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game).

July 8, 2009

What should the referee do and how is play restarted if a red team player, without permission of the referee...

Steps outside the field of play while speaking with the assistant referee during play, and the blue team captain requests the referee caution (yellow card) the red team player for leaving the field without permission?

Answer: Players may speak with the referee or assistant referees during play and the referee should allow play to continue provided the player is not guilty of dissent or otherwise prevents the referee or assistant referees from performing their duties or commits any other misconduct. Leaving the field to address the assistant referee in itself is not misconduct or is at most "a trifling breach of the Laws" (see 12.28.7 in USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game).
Runs around a defender outside the field of play across the touchline while dribbling the ball near the touchline and the blue team captain requests the referee caution (yellow card) the player for leaving the field without permission?

Answer: No misconduct has occurred. The referee should allow play to continue. "Leaving the field in the course of play is not considered to be leaving the field of play without the referee's permission" (see 12.28.7 in the current USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game).
Steps outside the field of play to convince the referee that he will not interfere with play even though he is in an offside position and therefore should not be called offside and the blue team captain requests the referee caution (yellow card) the player for leaving the field without permission?

Answer: No misconduct has occurred. The referee should allow play to continue (see page 100 in the current AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game).
Steps outside the field of play across the goal line to place a blue team player in an offside position because there are no longer two red team players nearer the goal line than the blue team player?

Answer: "If a defending player steps behind his own goal line in order to place an opponent in an offside position, the referee must allow play to continue and caution the blue team defender for deliberately leaving the field without the referee's permission when the ball next goes out of play" (see page 100 in the current AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game).

June 25, 2009

What should the referee do and how is play restarted if the referee said and signaled Advantage when a red team player deliberately...

Tripped a blue team player causing him to stumble but not to fall just outside the red team's penalty area while the blue team player was dribbling towards the red team's goal with only the goalkeeper between him and the goal, and the blue team player who had regained his balance was able to shoot and score?
- Answer: Award the goal to the blue team; the red team player may be cautioned for Unsporting Behavior depending upon the circumstances of the original infraction and then play restarted with a kick off for the red team.
Tripped a blue team player causing him to stumble but not to fall just inside the red team's penalty area while the blue team player was dribbling towards the red team's goal with only the goalkeeper between him and the goal, and the blue team player who had regained his balance was able to shoot but missed the goal high over the crossbar?
- Answer: The red team player may be cautioned for Unsporting Behavior depending upon the circumstances of the original infraction and then play restarted with a goal kick for the red team. Since the referee judged that the advantage was applied and realized when the blue team player regained his balance and maintained possession of the ball, the obvious goal scoring opportunity was not denied (whether a goal was scored or not).
Played in a dangerous manner near the blue team player without making contact causing him to stumble but not to fall just outside the red team's penalty area while the blue team player was dribbling towards the red team's goal with only the goalkeeper between him and the goal, and the blue team player who had regained his balance was able to shoot and score?
- Answer: Award the goal to the blue team, the red team player may be cautioned for Unsporting Behavior depending upon the circumstances of the original infraction and play restarted with a kick off for the red team.
Played in a dangerous manner near the blue team player without making contact causing him to stumble but not to fall just inside the red team's penalty area while the blue team player was dribbling towards the red team's goal with only the goalkeeper between him and the goal, and the blue team player who had regained his balance was able to shoot but missed the goal high over the crossbar?
- Answer: The red team player may be cautioned for Unsporting Behavior depending upon the circumstances of the original infraction and play restarted with a goal kick for the red team. Since the referee judged that the advantage was applied and realized when the blue team player regained his balance and maintained possession of the ball, the obvious goal scoring opportunity was not denied (whether a goal was scored or not).
  
  Note: See page 21 and 121 in current AYSO edition of the Laws of the Game and 5.6 in the current USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game.

June 18, 2009

What should the referee do and how is play restarted if, following the first kick during kicks from the penalty mark to determine a winner in a drawn AYSO U-14 match...

The blue team's goalkeeper is sent off for misconduct and the blue team requests permission to replace their goalkeeper with one of their substitutes?
- Answer: The substitution is not permitted. One of the blue team's players on the field must be identified as the replacement goalkeeper, the kicks from the penalty mark continue (see page 128 in current Laws of the Game).
The blue team's goalkeeper is sent off for misconduct and the blue team requests the referee require one of the red team players also be removed so both teams will have an equal number of kickers?
- Answer: The request is denied and the kicks from the penalty mark continue. An equal number of players on both teams is only required at the beginning of the kicks from the penalty mark (see page 128 in current Laws of the Game).
The blue team's goalkeeper is sent off for misconduct leaving the blue team with only 6 players on the field and the red team requests the referee abandon the match because the blue team does not have the required minimum of seven players?
- Answer: The match is not abandoned and the kicks from the penalty mark continue. A minimum of seven players per team is only needed at the beginning of the kicks from the penalty mark (see page 128 in current Laws of the Game).
The blue team's goalkeeper is injured and unable to continue and the blue team requests permission to replace their goalkeeper with one of their substitutes?
- Answer: The substitution is allowed and the kicks from the penalty mark continue. Injured goalkeepers may be replaced by a substitute during kicks from the penalty mark (see page 128 in current Laws of the Game).

June 11, 2009

What should the referee do and how is play restarted if the red team is awarded a free kick, and...

The referee gives the signal for a direct free kick to be taken, then the red team player kicks the ball toward a teammate but realizes an opposing blue team player is going to intercept the ball so the red team kicker quickly picks the ball up to retake the kick, thus touching the ball again before any other player does?
- Answer: Stop play and award a direct free kick to the blue team because the red team player deliberately handled the ball.
The referee gives the signal for a direct free kick to be taken and a red team player then runs over the ball using a deceptive move (feints) that makes the blue team goalkeeper dive to the left side of the goal, and then a different red team player quickly kicks the ball into the right side of the goal?
- Answer: Award a goal to the red team and restart with a kick off for the blue team. "Feinting to take a free kick to confuse opponents is permitted..." provided the referee feels it is not done in an unsporting manner (see page 122 in the current Laws of the Game).
The referee raises his arm to indicate it is an indirect free kick, so the red team kicker uses both feet simultaneously to lift the ball into the air for a teammate who then volley-kicks the ball into the blue team's goal?
- Answer: Award a goal to the red team and restart with a kick off for the blue team. Using both feet to lift the ball during a free kick is permitted (see page 122 in the current Laws of the Game).
The referee raises his arm to indicate it is an indirect free kick, so the red team kicker gently kicks the ball into the back of a retreating blue team player and then kicks the rebounding ball directly into the blue team's goal?
- Answer: Award a goal to the red team and restart with a kick off for the blue team. Deliberately kicking the ball into an opponent is permitted provided it is not done carelessly, recklessly or with excessive force (see page 122 in the current Laws of the Game).

June 4, 2009

Referees must make quick decisions, and the luxury of time to think it over, look it up or discuss it with someone is not an option during the game. Test your knowledge and see if you can answer the following questions:
What should the referee do and how is play restarted if, a red team player near midfield...

While holding the ball under her foot, intentionally uses her body to obstruct the path of a blue team player to the ball. The blue team player charges shoulder to shoulder into the red team player with a reasonable amount of force and it causes the red team player to fall to the ground?
- Answer: Continue play. A legal shoulder to shoulder charge does not necessarily become illegal if it causes the player to fall to the ground. The referee must judge whether or not reasonable force was used (see USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game 12.5).
The red team player near midfield not within playing distance of the ball charges shoulder to shoulder into a blue team player also not within playing distance of the ball with a reasonable amount of force and it causes the blue team player to fall to the ground?
- Answer: Stop play and restart with an indirect free kick for the blue team. A fair charge not done within playing distance of the ball is penalized with an indirect free kick (see USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game 12.22). "A player who charges an opponent in an otherwise legal manner (i.e., not carelessly, recklessly or with excessive force) but with the ball not within playing distance has infringed the Law. Such an 'off the ball' charge is considered a form of impeding the progress of an opponent (even though contact has occurred) and is thus penalized with an indirect free kick restart for the opposing team. If the referee considers the charge to be careless, reckless or involving excessive force, the restart is a direct free kick (or penalty kick)."
While holding the ball under her foot, intentionally uses her body to obstruct the path of a blue team player to the ball. From the rear of the red team player, a blue team player charges into the red team player's shoulder blade with a reasonable amount of force causing the red team player to fall to the ground?
- Answer: Continue play. A player who is shielding or screening the ball may be charged from the rear provided it is done with reasonable force and avoids contact with the center of the opponent's back (see USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game 12.5).
Not within playing distance of the ball, carelessly makes contact with a blue team player also not within playing distance of the ball while deliberately impeding the progress of the blue team player to the ball?
- Answer: Stop play and restart with a direct free kick for the blue team. See USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game 12.14. "If physical contact occurs, the referee should, depending on the circumstances, consider instead the possibility that a charging infringement has been committed (direct free kick)..."

Joe Knows AYSO
(What's the correct AYSO answer?)

Joe, is a team caution permitted in AYSO? I saw a game where it appeared that the players on one team were trying to shut down the best player on the opposing team by each fouling her one at a time. The referee called the fouls and gave out a few cautions but no one was sent off and this tactic continued throughout the game. The referee seemed unable to stop their actions. Does the referee have to caution every single player before a send off can be given or can a team caution be issued?
- Answer: Team cautions are not permitted in the Laws of the Game and therefore also not in AYSO. The tactic you have described is sometimes referred to as "rotational fouling" and should be dealt with as persistent infringement. Under certain circumstances, even a single foul may be considered as persistent infringement and a caution given if preceded by a pattern of similar fouls. Additionally, the referee is the sole judge of whether or not an infraction is serious enough to rise to the level of meriting sending off. If the referee determines a player has been targeted by the opposing team to be fouled on a rotational basis, the referee may consider a subsequent foul against this targeted player to be "Serious Foul Play" and the offending player could be sent off. It is the referee alone who must "read the game" and decide whether or not, for the good of the game and safety of the players, the infraction is serious foul play requiring the player to be sent off.
  
  Referees have all the tools necessary to manage the game. They simply must be willing to use the tools. Unsporting tactics are not prevented by making more rules - they are prevented by referees taking appropriate action. Law 5 authorizes the referee to control the match. If the spirit of the game or spirit behind the Laws of the Game is being violated, the referee should take action to stop it. The referee should include a report of the misconduct in the game report, and it is the job of the governing body (Region board) to review the facts and determine if additional disciplinary action is merited.
  
  A rose is a rose by any other name and so is the blatant disregard for fair play and sporting behavior. Encourage your referees to do what, in their hearts, they know is right and let the board determine if justice was served.
Joe, we just finished conducting the Assistant Referee (AR) Course and the AR Exam. We gave the graduates each an AYSO AR badge. May we also give those who complete the AR requirements an AYSO U-8 Official Badge?
- Answer: Yes. All of the curriculum requirements for a U-8 Official are included in the AR Course so you may award them both an AR and a U-8 Official Badge.
Joe, does AYSO have a policy about lightning during practices and games? If so, what is it and is it documented somewhere?
- Answer: The recommendation of the National Referee Advisory Commission regarding electrical storms, as stated in the AYSO publication "Guidance for Referees and Coaches," is: "It is said that lightning can strike out of a clear blue sky within a radius of ten or more miles from an electrical storm. It is therefore strongly recommended that practices and games be terminated immediately upon hearing thunder or seeing lightning."
  
  "If you can see it - flee it; if you can hear it - clear it."
  
  The National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) currently recommends that all individuals should leave the game site and reach a safe structure or location when lightning is within 6 miles.
  
  The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Lightning Safety Guidelines indicate that since lightning can strike out of a clear blue sky as far away as ten miles from a rain storm, when the "Flash-to-Bang" count is thirty seconds or less, everyone should leave the game site to a safe location.
  
  The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) position is that if you can hear thunder you are within reach of lightning and that referees must protect the safety of all participants by stopping game activities quickly, so that participants and spectators may retire to a safer place before the lightning threat becomes significant. Applying the 30-30 rule is recommended and to wait thirty minutes or more after hearing the last thunder before leaving shelter.
  
  Just remember: "If you can see it - flee it; if you can hear it - clear it."

May 28, 2009

What should the referee do and how is play restarted if, during a throw-in for the red team...

The red team player violently throws the ball at a blue team player striking him in the face and the ball rebounds directly out of play across the touchline?
- Answer: Send off the red team player and restart with a direct free kick (DFK) for the blue team. The red player is guilty of striking, a DFK foul, which is considered to have occurred where the ball struck the opponent (see USSF Advice to Referees 12.6). The action is also violent conduct, for which the thrower is sent off.
One of the feet of the red team player throwing the ball is completely over the touchline inside the field of play; however, the red team player accidentally throws the ball to a blue team player giving the blue team player a clear advantage?
- Answer: Stop play and restart with a throw in for the blue team. The throw in has not been taken in accordance with Law 15 and, per Law 15, it is awarded to the opposing team. The advantage clause does not apply, as advantage is awarded only for infringements of Law 12 (see USSF Advice to Referees 5.6 and 15.4).
The red team player takes a long run toward the touchline from outside the field and does a complete acrobatic flip landing in a sitting position with both feet on the ground just behind the touchline where the throw in was supposed to be taken and with one continuous motion from behind and over his head throws the ball into play?
- Answer: Stop play and restart with a throw in for the blue team. An acrobatic flip is permissible as long as the provisions of Law 15 are met. A throw-in from a kneeling or sitting position is not permitted (see USSF Advice to Referees 15.4).
The red team player throws the ball in toward her own goalkeeper. The ball takes an erratic bounce in front of the red goalkeeper who then miskicks the ball, deflecting it directly into her own goal?
- Answer: Award a goal to the blue team and restart with a kickoff for the red team. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw in, but in this case a second player (the goalkeeper) has legally touched the ball before it entered the goal. Had the goalkeeper prevented the ball from entering the goal using her hands, she would have infringed Law 12 and an indirect free kick would be awarded to the blue team. Had she touched the ball with her hands and then it entered the goal, the advantage would have applied and a goal would be awarded the blue team.

May 21, 2009

What should the referee do and how is play restarted if the red team is awarded an indirect free kick and...

The referee forgets to raise his arm as required to indicate the kick is indirect. The red team player kicks the ball directly into the blue team's goal?
- Answer: Disallow the goal and restart by retaking the indirect free kick (IFK). See page 122 in current Laws of the Game where it states, "An indirect free kick must be retaken if the referee fails to raise his arm to indicate that the kick is indirect and the ball is kicked directly into the goal. The initial indirect free kick is not nullified by the referee's mistake." Also see USSF Advice to Referees, 13.9 where it states, "If the referee fails either to give the correct signal for in IFK or to hold it for the required period of time, the IFK must be retaken, regardless of the original outcome. In particular, if the kick results in a goal either directly or indirectly, the goal cannot be counted."
The red team elects to take a quick kick before the referee has a chance to raise his arm as required to indicate the kick is indirect. The red team player kicks the ball directly into the blue team's goal.
- Answer: Disallow the goal and restart by retaking the indirect free kick. Same references as question #1.
The red team elects to take a quick kick before an opposing blue team player has retreated the required 10 yards. The blue team player intercepts the ball.
- Answer: Continue play. See page 122 in current Laws of the Game where it states, "If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than 9.15 meters from the ball intercepts it, the referee must allow play to continue." Also see USSF Advice to Referees, 13.3, where it states, "An attacking team may exercise its right to take a free kick when the players see an advantage to do so even with an opponent closer than the minimum distance. However, they may not thereafter claim infringement of the distance requirement if the ball is kicked to an infringing opponent who is able to control the ball ‘without moving toward it.' In this case, because the attacking side has considered the encroachment trivial, the referee must accept what he or she has seen."
The red team tries to take a quick kick but an opposing blue team player prevents the quick kick.
- Answer: Caution the blue team player and restart with the original indirect free kick for the red team. See page 122 in current Laws of the Game where it 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 of play." Also see USSF Advice to Referees, 13.3, 6th paragraph states: "On the other hand, when the attacking team has exercised the option to restart play quickly and the opponent closer than the required distance moves towards the ball and performs an act that makes a difference in the play, such as blocking the ball, that player has committed an offence that must be dealt with firmly in accordance with the Law." After the referee has cautioned the failure to respect the required distance, the original free kick must be retaken as required by Law 13.

May 14, 2009

What should the referee do and how is play restarted if the red team scores a goal against the blue team, but unknown to the referee… .

A red team substitute had entered the field giving the red team 12 members on the field when the goal was scored and the referee discovers this before the kickoff?
- Answer: The goal is disallowed and the red team's twelfth member is cautioned and instructed to leave the field. The restart is an indirect free kick for the blue team in the blue team's goal area (see pages 61-62 in current Laws of the Game).
A red team substitute had entered the field giving the red team 12 members on the field when the goal was scored and the referee discovers this just after the kickoff and stops play?
- Answer: The goal is allowed and the red team's twelfth member is cautioned and instructed to leave the field. The referee makes note of the incident in the game report and restarts with an indirect free kick for the blue team where the ball was when play was stopped.
A blue team substitute had entered the field giving the blue team 12 members on the field when the goal was scored and the referee discovers this before the kickoff?
- Answer: The goal is allowed and the blue team's twelfth member is cautioned and instructed to leave the field. The restart is a kick off for the blue team.
A blue team substitute had entered the field giving the blue team 12 members on the field when the goal was scored and the referee discovers this just after the kickoff and stops play?
- Answer: The goal is allowed and the blue team's twelfth member is cautioned and instructed to leave the field. The restart is an indirect free kick for the red team where the ball was when play was stopped.

Joe Knows AYSO
(What's the correct AYSO answer?)

As the AYSO National Referee Administrator, I often receive inquiries regarding rules, regulations, policies, interpretation of FIFA Law and AYSO modifications. The following are some questions recently received:

Joe, we were discussing whether or not a team had to play short if a player or substitute was sent off and shown the red card before the game or during half time. What say you to each of these situations?

If a player is sent off (red card) during the half time break, may this player be replaced by a substitute?
- Answer: When a player is sent off after the opening kick off (including during half time), he may not be replaced by a substitute, and the player's team must play with one less player for the remainder of the game. The players at the end of the first half remain players until their substitutes have reported to the referee for the beginning of the second half (see page 17 in current Laws of the Game and USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game 5.17 and 12.24).
If a substitute (who has not yet entered the field of play) is sent off (red card) during the half time break, is the substitute's team required to play short a player for the remainder of the game?
- Answer: When a substitute (who has not yet entered the field of play) is sent off after the opening kick off (including during half time), the substitute's team is not required to play short by one player, as the offense was committed by a substitute and not a player. However, a substitute who is sent off may not be replaced with another substitute regardless of when they are sent off. For example, if a team has three substitutes and one is sent off, the team must continue the game with only two substitutes and is not permitted to recruit another person so they will once again have three substitutes (see page 17 in current Laws of the Game and USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game 5.17 and 12.24).
If a player is sent off (red card) before the game starts, is the player's team required to play short a player for the remainder of the game?
- If a player is sent off (red card) before the game starts, is the player's team required to play short a player for the remainder of the game?
If a substitute (who has not yet entered the field of play) is sent off (red card) before the game starts, is the substitute's team required to play short a player for the remainder of the game?
- Answer: When a substitute (who has not yet entered the field of play) is sent off before the opening kick off, the substitute's team is not required to play with one less player for the remainder of the match. A "substitute" who is sent off may not be replaced with another substitute regardless of when they are sent off. For example, if a team has three substitutes and one is sent off, the team must continue the game with only two substitutes and is not permitted to recruit another person so they will once again have three substitutes (see page 17 in current Laws of the Game and USSF Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game 5.17 and 12.24)

Note: It is important for referees to know who the players are, who the substitutes are and precisely when these designations officially change. A player remains a player until the proper substitution procedure occurs, including during the half time interval or the substitution breaks.

May 7, 2009

What should the referee do and how is play restarted if...

While the ball is in play inside the blue team's penalty area, a spectator blows a whistle and a blue team player, who assumes the referee has stopped play, picks up the ball with his hands.
- Answer: Stop play and restart with a dropped ball (see page 65 in the current Laws of the Game).
While the ball is in play, a red team player asks and is granted permission to leave the field by the referee. As the red team player is leaving the field, the ball comes toward him and he kicks it into the blue team's goal.
- Answer: Disallow the goal, caution the red team player and restart with an indirect free kick for the blue team (see page 114 in the current Laws of the Game).
A red team player takes a throw-in and seeing the blue team's goalkeeper out of position throws the ball directly at the unprotected blue team's goal. A blue team defender deliberately prevents the ball from entering the goal by punching it over the crossbar.
- Answer: Caution the blue team player for unsporting behavior and restart with a penalty kick for the red team (handling the ball inside the penalty area). Note: The blue team player did not prevent an obvious goal scoring opportunity because a goal cannot be scored directly from a throw in.
While the ball is in play at the far end of the field, the red team's goalkeeper inside his own penalty area strikes a blue team player. The assistant referee signals for the violent conduct but, before the referee sees the signal, the red team subsequently scores a goal. The referee signals a goal for the red team and then sees the assistant referee's signal.
- Answer: Disallow the goal, send off the red team's goalkeeper for violent conduct, and restart with a penalty kick for the blue team (striking an opponent inside the penalty area).

April 30, 2009

What should the referee do and how is play restarted if during a penalty kick taken by the red team in regulation time against the blue team, before the ball is kicked...

A teammate of the kicker encroaches into the penalty area distracting the goalkeeper as the kicker kicks the ball at the goal?
- Answer: The referee should await the outcome of the kick, and if the ball enters the goal, the penalty kick is retaken. However, if the ball does not enter the goal, play should be stopped and restarted with an indirect free kick for the defending team where the kicker's teammate entered the penalty area prematurely (see pages 42 and 43 in the current Laws of the Game).
A teammate of the goalkeeper encroaches into the penalty area distracting the kicker as he kicks the ball at the goal?
- Answer: The referee should await the outcome of the kick, and if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded and play is restarted with a kick off for the blue team. However, if the ball does not enter the goal, the penalty kick is retaken (see pages 42 and 43 in the current Laws of the Game).
A player from the goalkeeper's team and a player from the kicker's team both encroach into the penalty area distracting both the goalkeeper and the kicker as he kicks the ball at the goal?
- Answer: The penalty kick is retaken regardless of the outcome of the kick (see pages 42 and 43 in the current Laws of the Game).
A teammate of the goalkeeper encroaches into the penalty area, then the kicker kicks the ball at the goal, and it rebounds into play from the crossbar back to the red team kicker who kicks the ball into the goal?
- Answer: If the referee considers that the encroachment of the defender was not trifling, then the penalty kick is retaken because a goal was not scored from the penalty kick. However, if the referee considers that the encroachment was trifling, an indirect free kick is awarded to the blue team at the point where the kicker kicked the ball a second time.
  
  Note that it would not be correct to say that the kick is retaken because both teams infringed the Law. The kicker's infringement (playing the ball twice) occurred after the penalty kick was taken, and for that reason it is dealt with in a separate section of Law 14 about infringements (like encroachment) that occur after the kick is taken. Strictly speaking, the sequence of events is:
  1. Referee signals for penalty kick to be taken.
  2. Defender encroaches.
  3. Referee notes encroachment but otherwise does nothing (yet).
  4. Kick is taken.
  5. Ball strikes crossbar and rebounds.
  6. Referee decides that a goal will not be scored from the kick. If he deemed the encroachment to have been significant (i.e., non-trifling), he stops play and orders the kick retaken. Otherwise, he allows play to continue.
  7. Assuming he decided to allow play to continue, referee observes that the kicker kicks the ball a second time before the ball has touched anyone else. He stops play and awards an indirect free kick to the defense.
  The key to this sequence is that the penalty kick was, and must have been, completed before the kicker infringed the Laws, which means that the referee must have either decided to stop the game for the encroachment, in which case the second kick effectively never happened, or he considered the encroachment trifling, in which case it effectively never happened. In real life, all this happens so fast that the referee might not actually have gone through the thinking process before the kicker kicks the ball a second time, but we know that is irrelevant to the outcome. It is the sequence of events that determines the outcome, not the speed of decision-making.

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