The Weekly Soccer Referee Blog
Sharpening Referee Knowledge and Judgment, One Week at a Time
Volume 16, Issue 5 – February 4, 2024
Please forward this Blog to your fellow soccer officials or tell them about it. This is one of the tools we can use to keep sharp during the year.
The purpose of this Blog is so we can all learn from each other’s experience and by doing so, avoid mistakes, make more consistent calls, and do a better job. I don’t have to make any of this up – this is what happens on the pitch.
Quote of the Week:
“You haven’t blown your whistle once.”
From a parent who noticed on a 2 ref system that a referee hadn’t blown their whistle in a very clean game.
That their team was losing. Go figure.
This Week’s Question – Delay, Delay, Delay
During a recent High School soccer game….
With 4 minutes left in the second half, a Direct Free Kick is called for Team A. B10 immediately kicks the ball well-off the field of play.
Immediately after the ball comes back on to the field after the previous foul of delaying the restart, as A22 moves to take the free kick, you see B12 stand directly in front of the kick, 1 foot from the ball.
You Make the Call:
What is the call?
What is the restart?
Last Week’s Question: – Smash and Crash
During a recent High School tournament soccer game….
You have two teams which are evenly matched. There are some passes to foot, but a lot of passes to space.
It’s the second half, and the fatigue on the teams is showing, but the home team has stronger legs and is making several runs on the goal.
You see B14 and B20 standing close to each other in the Team A Penalty area, looking for a pass in, when A11 runs between B14 and B20 from behind and then crashes to the ground writhing in pain.
The Team A Coach is screaming for a foul.
You Make the Call:
What is the Call?
What is the Restart?
What You Said:
Referee 1:
What did you see? Charging in by A11? Elbowing by B14 or B20? You call what you see, not what the coach or the experts see. That’s why you have a badge.
Referee 2:
Was there a foul, or was it simulation?
If a foul- DFK coming out of the area for team A. But the description of the incident does not seem to indicate a foul was committed.
If simulation- Yellow Card for the offender, A11. Restart would be an IDFK for team B at the spot of the foul.
Referee 3:
Who contacted whom? From the description it sounds like A11 initiated contact with B14 and B20. If play has already stopped, delay the restart. If play continues, allow it for a few moments but stop play as soon as it doesn’t compromise a promising attack.
If A11 is still in pain, have bench personnel attend to the injury. From the description, you could possibly caution A11 for simulating an injury, but I would give them a stern warning and see what happens.
The Answer:
What did you see?
B14 and B20 standing together, looking for a pass incoming.
A11 running into them from behind, then crashing to the ground.
Could B14 and B20 see A11? No.
Could B14 and B20 “play” A11 on A11’s disastrous run in? No.
So no foul here for B14 and B20, and neither of them fell down. Call the coach onto the field to address A11.
Restart with a Direct Free Kick to Team B at the point of A11’s unwarranted charge.
This play bothered me. I asked the AD for the game video, and he sent me a link. I played this back (and a few other plays where I thought a player was simulating trying to draw a PK) several times and was happy with my calls – I could see what was going on, and all of them were big nothings.
If you have the opportunity to look at yourself in a game tape, take it. Reflection on our performance is one of the best things we can do to learn and get better.
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Tags: AR, assistant referee, caution, delay, Delays the Restart, dissent, Ejection, FIFA, foul, NCAA, NFHS, NISOA, red card, referee, soccer, soccer ref, Soccer Referee, sports, unnecessary delay, USSF, Yellow Card
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