Question Number: 15670

Mechanics 6/1/2007

RE: Competitive Under 14

Richard Dopazo of Brookline, MA 02445 asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15654

Thank you, Ben, Keith and Chuck [15654]. To clarify, as I blew the whistle I pointed upfield for Red kick. The reason for this was dangerous play based on what I saw. As I neared, White got up and simply walked away. Neither player said a word, before and after the whistle. Instinctively, I felt that Red pulled White down and this was SFP or at least USB. Red showed a pattern of behavior leading up to this. His coach had switched him from left wing to right back. I looked over at my AR, who did not raise his flag. Play restarted with an indirect kick for Red. Afterward, my AR told me that from where he was, he could not flag for a foul or help me even though he saw major shirt pulling.

How does an indirect for Red seem now?

Of course, I regret it and learned. This weekend is my third straight Youth State Cup. There will be plenty of assessment opportunities.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Something often gets lost in the telling when we have to type it out. You have to admit, it sure looked like your original question was, "I blew the whistle, what should I have called?"

Why would your AR say he clearly saw the shirt-pulling foul and misconduct, but couldn't flag for it? That might be something to include in your pregame chat - "When I look at you, I *want* you to make the call if you have any idea about what just happened."

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Richard, stopping play and having no to reason is not in accordance with the first of the referee's powers and duties, enforces the Laws of the Game. This leaves only the dropped ball for a restart unless you investigate further and find out if the "assistant" knows anything you don't. You might want to ask "What did you see here?"

Again, you placed yourself in a position where, as evidenced by what happened, you were blocked on your own field. It compromised your situational awareness and led to no discipline in a situation where, had you known, you surely would have exercised that option.

Never regret making a mistake you learn from, that's how we learn. Granted learning lessons from other's mistakes is always better than making them yourself but we all have to bugger it once in a while just to keep in practise. Get wide when the situation calls for it, try to look between two opponents as they fight for the ball or position. It?s best to look through them towards goals but when on the wing that's not always possible. You learned that 20M from play is sometimes too far away, especially when that play involves a player you've had trouble with in the past.

Remember too, the referee's saviour; persistently infringes the Laws of the Game. Perhaps the red back was a candidate for that earlier on...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Jon a Professional Referee from London UK comments:

20 metres away from play is always too far. always. Especially in our half not your Ars. fitness might be an issue here? If so, work on it. It keeps the mind and body ticking.