The Weekly Soccer Referee Blog – Volume 16 Issue 10 – Bad Place, Bad Time

The Weekly Soccer Referee Blog

Sharpening Referee Knowledge and Judgment, One Week at a Time

Volume 16, Issue 10 – March 10, 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:

“My players are playing fairly, and the opponents particularly $14, keeps running into my players.”

From a coach who thought her players were absolute angels. They weren’t.

Cancelled, Cancelled, Cancelled

This has been an odd season.  I have already had 6 lower-level games assigned and then cancelled.  I keep track of cancellations now – most of these are JV games before or after a Varsity game.

I can’t say what the cause is – some of them may not have enough players to field a JV squad, or an opponent in the same situation.  Still, it’s interesting.  I appreciate finding out now, rather than when you get there only to find out that there is no JV game, and then not getting paid because the school told you when you arrived (even though if your contract says 2 games, they SHOULD pay you if not cancelled / informed at least 24 hours in advance.

This Week’s Question – Bad Place, Bad Time

On a Senior Night Game between two IHSA Teams…

As the game progresses, it is clear Team B is passing to foot, and Team A isn’t.  Player A4 nonetheless manages to get the ball into Team B’s penalty area, and reaches the goal area where A4 is surrounded by four Team B defenders.  A4 is a younger player, and the Team B defenders, while average size, out weigh A4 and are all taller.

Each of the Team B defenders is trying to dispossess A4 of the ball using their feet, and legally charging (as all are within playing distance).  You are around 8 yards out and watching through the gaps, moving for a better view each time you are blocked by action.

You see B9 plant their foot ahead of the ball as A4 tries to kick it.  A4 goes over the ball (all ball – you see no contact with B9) and falls as a result.

The Team A Coach who is 80 yards away is howling for a PK.

You Make the Call:

What is the call?

What is the restart?

Last Week’s Question: – Harass the Goalkeeper

On a recent High school game…

You have two teams on the field who are equally matched pretty much.

You see Goalkeeper A00 collect the ball from a shot by B10, and move to the edge of the penalty area to distribute it.  As A00 moves to distribute the ball you see B16 send up a high kick, trying to get to the ball as Goalkeeper A00 releases it.

You talk with B16 and tell them “No More” clearly.

Ten minutes later, B16 is doing the same thing, getting closer to the goalkeeper for Team A.

You Make the Call:

What is the Call?

What is the Restart?

What You Said:

Referee 1:

Once warned; twice wins the prize. Yellow Card for dangerous play.  IFK for Team A.

Referee 2:

Blow whistle, caution guilty player for PI. Restart with IFK for the Keepers team (failure to let keeper release it).

Referee 3:

Time for a caution to B16 for the persistent infringement.  Restart with an IFK to the goalkeeper’s team from the location of the misconduct.

The Answer:

This is right in the laws / rules.

The goalkeeper shall not be interfered with as they go to distribute the ball.  The penalty is a Caution as it delays the restart.

In this case, the miscreant was warned first – No More.  He continued.  Award him the Caution he earned for this act, and restart with an Indirect Kick to A00 at the point of the stoppage.

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Tags: AR, assistant referee, caution, dissent, Ejection, FIFA, foul, NCAA, NFHS, NISOA, push, red card, referee, soccer, soccer ref, Soccer Referee, sports, USSF, Yellow Card