Question Number: 15829

Mechanics 6/19/2007

RE: Coed Rec Adult

Kris of Erie, PA USA asks...

I was reffing the other day in a rec league where they use the deplorable two man system. I was on the end of the field no more than five yards off the ball when a defender came in and and made a clean play of the which resulted in both players going to the ground and the ball headed out of touch. I called for a throw for the defense since the ball went off the offenders foot. The ref at the other end of the field blew the whistle and called a foul on the kick. I knew it was not a foul but was unsure how to proceed at this point so let them have the DK outside the area. This whole event led one of the defenders to mouth off about it not being a foul and getting carded for dissent by the other ref who was still 30+ yards off the scene. I am not sure what I should have done in this situation since I thought I was in a better position and thought it was a clean play (it was not even a slide tackle, the offender kicked the ball at the same time the defender stuck his foot in the way and the momentum sent them both to the ground)

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Well you can accept it because you agreed to do the match or you can agree to disagree and move on. You can argue or overrule him by simply being more forceful. Or you can hand him your whistle and go home!
I could suggest you refuse to do 2 man games and you could decide to heed this advise! A post game what in thunderation were you thinking is certainly in order. If you do two man you need to be both on the same wave length and decided upon the area of responsibility. If one of you is the guy in charge and the other a helper get that straightened out as well!
You will find those on this panel prefer not to participate in a 2 man system !
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

I suggest when you hear the whistle from the other end of the park you, FORCEFULLY, establish what happened and the decision you have taken.

Right! NOTHING HERE!!! You touched it last. Throw-in going that way!

Then make sure the restart is as you say. If the other "referee" has a problem with that he can walk to where you are and offer his opinion. When you set him straight hold the restart until he walks back to where he needs to be.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This is what you get for accepting an assignment with the as you say, deplorable 2 man system. But even in that system, why would you let an official 70 yards away overrule you? I would do as ref Fleischer said. Wave him off and restart with the throw-in