Free kick scores a goal [Archive]

rags41

23 Sep 2002, 03:10 AM

I recently wasAR2 on a Jr. College match where a direct free kick was awarded just outside the penalty box. 10 yards was not requested from the offended team, the referee told defensive players to back up as he ran to get into position for the kick. The offended team took their shot as the other team was setting their wall. The coach for the team that was scored on went ballistic and completely lost his composure. From my position as AR2 I did not feel at any time that a second whistle should have been required. I felt the offending team was foolish for assuming that the other team was going to request 10 yards. They must have felt foolish too because they accepted the goal with little argument.
Any comments?
I had another situation recently as head referee where an assistant high school coach felt that I needed to inform the goalkeeper before I blew my whistle for a re-start. I can find no legal justification for doing so, but I would be interested in knowing if anyone has an opinion about this.
Thanks

Grizzlierbear

23 Sep 2002, 06:08 AM

Originally posted by rags41
I recently wasAR2 on a Jr. College match where a direct free kick was awarded just outside the penalty box. 10 yards was not requested from the offended team, the referee told defensive players to back up as he ran to get into position for the kick. The offended team took their shot as the other team was setting their wall. The coach for the team that was scored on went ballistic and completely lost his composure. From my position as AR2 I did not feel at any time that a second whistle should have been required. I felt the offending team was foolish for assuming that the other team was going to request 10 yards. They must have felt foolish too because they accepted the goal with little argument.
Any comments?
I had another situation recently as head referee where an assistant high school coach felt that I needed to inform the goalkeeper before I blew my whistle for a re-start. I can find no legal justification for doing so, but I would be interested in knowing if anyone has an opinion about this.
Thanks

You felt right rags41! The defending team has no say what so ever. In any restart where a foul occurs the attackers have every right as the agreived party to get on with it as soon as they wish. ONLY if the referee feels he must initiate a controlled restart where he actually points to the whistle and says states "Wait for the whistle! could the defenders have any reason to be upset if play was restarted without the whistle.

A nod of the head, shrug of the shoulders, thumbs up, a hand or arm wave wave or a simple ok with eye contact The mechanics for controlled or ceremonial restarts are set out in the USSF position papers
http://www.ussoccer-data.com/pubtopic.htm
as how they would prefer them to be done.

In certain situations where game management or player control is at issue like in the showing of a red card. I like to restart with a whistle if only to settle the parties involved down and remain calm as I set my and the AR position to best deal with the upcoming free kick.

I might add during free kicks near the penalty area I often will direct the AR to the goal line and assume the offside call if I think it appropriate. In these cases I always use a whistle restart but I inform everyone especially the attacking kicker this is so by saying so and my body language of setting the wall and pointing to the whistle is always done.

Highschool soccer in the USA has so many adaptations to the laws I could not say such a thing is not correct or correct. Certainly by FIFA rules, other than professional courtesy no such rule exists for a referee to exclusively signal a restart to a keeper.

In my humble opinion let them restart play quickly whenever it is possible for you to do so. If the defenders are always milling about or approaching the position of the free kicks verbally warning them to stay back is certainly no reason to reblow the whistle. Players are well aware they are to give at least ten yards. NO referee instructions should be required it is the law and they bloody well know. This gamesmenship is unsporting and should not be tolerated. If they do not comply with the ten yards or deliberately kick the ball away, we should caution and show the yellow card to the persistant individuals who seek to delay or interfere unfairly.