Question Number: 12375

Law 18 - Common Sense 3/16/2006

RE: Select, Rec... High School

Charles of DDO, Que Canada asks...

My Question is a simple but basic one to start the game we have a coin toss and the winner chooses which goal to attack.

Who gets to call the toss and Why? I have never seen it written in the LOTG.

Charles

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Charles,
I at first misread the question , late night answering will do that and I listed the proceedures. In fact it is a blending of law 5 referee discrestion and LAW 18 common sense where the visitor calls the toss in case of a biased observation of a home referee. For lack of a good explanation this is an unwritten rule but is generally followed as it just seems FAIR!. Just as another thought I tend to allow the home team to come up with the game ball assuming it meets the requirements. Since it is one they likey practise with they might feel it provides an edge. I can recall a black and white 50 % each ball where the team wearing black scocks with white trim the ball blended nicely and the opposition coach screamed it was illegal. The ball was of proper size weight material and correcly logoed by FIFA aproved. So aside from the coin toss DO you play with the home ball more often or not?
Thanks to my colleague for pointing out my book answer was no answer at all!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

As a custom, the visiting team usually gets to call the toss.