Question Number: 14797

Mechanics 2/5/2007

Jon of London, Uk asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14786

Some top points for discussion here that has really got me thinking about the application of advantage. As you say, the application of advantage is widely considered to be the gap between the good referees and the great.

Ref Dawson makes some great points about advantage in and around the penalty area. I beleive there is probably only one case that the advantage should ALWAYS be played in these situations and that is when a penial offenses has occured by the Keeper and the ball has fallen to an attacker with an open net. As it did in last season's European Cup final involveing Lehman. This is the only case where i believe advantage should def be played and if the attacker is inept to put the ball in the net, there should NOT be a dismissal to the keeper, but a caution for USB. and restart which will prob be a goal kick. The obvious goal scoring opportunity was replaced by what I see as an obvious goal!!!

Right, it is my opinion that we can't actually sit here and say you must do this or that because it is reliant on the referee's ability to quickly read game situations. If a referee is unable to process what he can see quick enough and there are defenders around then blow, and dismiss for DOGSO. In fact, if there are defenders around, maybe your first thoughts should be blow the whistle and deal with situation.

Denial of a goal is very different to DOGSO in my opinion. If soeone said the two, my first vision of DOG would be player deliberately handling the ball on the line to stop the ball entering the net whereas DOGSO would be a player being taken out by defender on their way with the ball TOWARDS the goal. One is an absolute definate goal, the other a good chance of a goal. If a ball is deliberately handled but still goes in, no goal was denied and i would therefore caution for USB (as i would on the halfway line if a player deliberately denied the progression of an attack etc etc.

If DOGSO arises and there is an opportunity that falls but you deem it not as good as the first, whistle immediately, state there was no advantage from this situation, in your opinion, and do the appropriate.

Our taught procedure, originally which is a while ago now!!, was when starting out to call everything and learn how to apply advantage. However I now abide by the UEFA principal of "Wait and see" as you cited. They often clarify "Wait and see" with some things just need to be called and you are not at this level not to know what these are. (A typical long winded way of UEFA saying you are good enough to be here, you know how to officiate, just do it lol!!)

Ref Lacy, the use of our cards is as important as the 'non' use of them for want of a better phrase!!! Consistancy is a necessity and we need to be firm. But using cards all the time is rarely beneficial. You just end up digging yourslef into a hole that you then can't get out of for the necessity of consistency!! If you give a caution for slight trip, all slight trips have to be cuationed throughout the 90 or 120 minutes!! Making a rod for our own back i feel!!

Advantage is very subjective and hard to learn, and as you well pointed out it is the greats who apply the law best. I guess its an instinct in the end. You end up seeing so many situations that you trust your instinct whether to blow and deal or play advantage.

One of, if not the most, subjective law in the game. And the long discussion we have had about it says it all!!! Lots of different ways to apply it, but what suits you is normally best.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Jon, I guess I'll have to disagree with you. Whether or not to give advantage inside the penalty area often is dependent on the age and skill level of the players and what you as the referee sees transpiring. I remember a U12 boys game a few seasons ago where I gave advantage twice inside the PA. The first time the coach was in the process of coming unglued as his team scored. I walked by him and said " now you see why it's good to not say or do anything that close to the goal for a few seconds". he was quiet the second time. At that level, they miss over 50% of their PKs. Both these instances I saw the foul,waited a sceond, raised arms and said "advantage". At higher levels I'll still wait a split second especially if a shot is about to be taken. At every level of play, we as referees have to make sure WE don't DOGSO by reverting to a quick whistle. If PKs were automatic maybe blow every penal foul but they're not. Just ask France.

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

There has been some excellent discussion here and encompasses a wide range of approaches to cover a wide range of age and skill sets. Unfortunately this "printed" medium makes it very difficult to conduct a fluid and cogent discussion with such a wide range of possiblities. I appreciate the feedback and discussion by all on this subject and it certainly has helped foster some introspective thoughts in this area for me. And I certainly agree that the "non-use" of cards is just as important. Perhaps I did not make that quite clear in my previous post but this was the idea I was meaning to convey when I said that we need to use cards judiciously. All the best,

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Jon when the foul play fails to do what the player had in mind why should the referee intervene and stop things, that's advantage played. Keep it simple and it works... Experience is VERY critical in this.

Regards,

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 14814