Question Number: 15412

Mechanics 5/7/2007

RE: Select Under 14

Janice of Dacula, Georgia USa asks...

So, this past weekend, we had a championship game. As a central midfield player, I am supposed to stay in the middle, hence the name. Where is the ref supposed to be standing during the majority of the game? Most of the time he was in the middle.... right in front of me, therfore blocking my view of the game constantly. When I asked the ref to please move aside, he simply refused. Also, the ref had made a bad offsides call, costing us the game. Can any of this foul play be fought now?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Janice the referee is part of the field and is going to be in the way sometimes. Assessors constantly admonish referees because they are in the "passing lanes". This referee found himself in space you usually use, so be it. That is a field condition the same as a mud puddle, you can deal with that can't you? Adjust where you are on the field once you find out he isn't going to move.

A referee who is in the way and doesn't appear too mobile is a tool a thinking player can use to strip off an opponent. Run your opponent into the referee, that's not foul play and it is more effective than foul play because nothing stops but your marker. AND sometimes the referee takes it personally and cautions her. Improvise, adapt, overcome -- it's like that throughout life.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Ref Fleischer addresses the position of the referee. I might add that when I find myself in traffic, I stop and let the play and players go around me - trying very hard not to get hit by the ball. But when I outweigh youth players 2 or 3 to 1, I could do some serious damage by backing away from play if I don't know who is behind me. Squishing U-littles, or even U14's, will not make a referee popular.

We cannot comment on your opinion of a bad offside (no trailing 's') call, as you have not provided any details. However I always find it interesting that one bad call by a ref is used as an excuse for losing a game, when all the mistakes by players missing shots on goal are never contributing factors.

I'm not sure what foul play you are asking about in your last question. You haven't described any fouls. Once a game is restarted after a foul, that's it. The ref has made a decision on what he has seen, and there can be no going back. Good or bad, pretty or ugly, the incident has happened and either was penalized by a free kick or play was allowed to go on.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

What this referee did can not constitute foul play.

While it may not be the best situation to have a stationary referee, you will have no choice but to deal with the position he chose to take. Next time deal with him by constantly running play in and around him - he may just decide to move on his own. Just one thing... NEVER deliberatly make contact with the referee, that could have disasterous results for you.