Question Number: 13828

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/18/2006

RE: Varsity High School

Holly Tea of Montrose, Colorado USA asks...

Is there a time limit on Goal Kicks?
We recently had a high school game where the opponent would deliberatley take his time setting up the ball and stepping off his approach to the ball. One time I know I counted over 10 seconds. Seems to me he was stalling and not playing within the spirit of the game. The referee seemed to tolerate this whole little show each goal kick.
Just wondering. Thanks, soccer mom.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The referee may add time at his discretion. If time is being kept by a stadium clock the referee may require the time keeper to stop time. If the referee warns players to desist in the time wasting and they persist he can and should caution then and show the yellow card for delaying the restart of play.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Holly,
a referee has discrestionary poewers if he believes there is unsporting actions attributed to the delay a verbal warning to desist or a caution show a yellow card for USB is possible. Assuming we are not limited by schedual or league or tournament bylaws we can add the frittered time back on to the match duration. Personally A "Lets Go!" and a tap of my watch or a tap of the yellow card peeking out of my pocket gets the younger ones as well as the older ones moving quick enough. As only my colleague is most familar with highschool USA rules I cannot comment further.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Players cannot delay the restart. If the referee feels they are taking too long, he can caution all players involved. I would warn first though.