Question Number: 16473

Law 14 - Penalty kick 8/28/2007

RE: Competitive High School

Dave Trepex of Portland, OR USA asks...

Do you professional guys have any advice on what I should do if an unusual situation occurs and I don't know what the law requires? I was just reading something about how if someone is taking a PK and they heel the ball backwards, then the defense gets an IDFK. Now, if I hadn't just read that, I would not know what the proper response would be. What do you do in general if an unusual situation occurs and you either don't know or can't remember what the law is? Do you make your best guess? Do you pull out your rule book and see if you can find out? Do you ask the coaches or players if they know the correct rule? Thanks for all your help.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Well first off, I think what you should honestly do is take a lot of time and sit down with the law book and study. You want this information down cold.

This way when tough situations arise, you will understand how to deal with them and not have to think it through or bat an eye.

I've never been in a place in a game where I didn't know the correct restart or solution to a problem. BUT I guess if I came to a point where I didn't have the answers and it was something I was completely unsure of and I didn't have reliable assistant refs, then I would maybe consult my law book. However, remember that if you do this you may be shooting down all of the credibility you have worked hard to earn, as the coaches and teams may think that you don't know the laws (and isn't it your job to know them and apply them properly?) So, if you ever decide to do this, think about all of the consequences before you take that action.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Whatever you do, don't ask the coaches and players. If you don't know the Law on a minor point, do you think a coach or player does? Aside from the point of destroying your credibility by admitting you're not infallable, they will answer to their benefit. If it's a major point, you should have known it right from the start, apart from a temporary insanity moment. If you start to get something major incorrect, they'll all let you know about it anyway.

Now, beside general study of the Laws and USSF Advice to Referees, here's some more homework for you. The example you bring up about a PK being taken backwards is a recent FIFA Law change. You need to look at the High School rules to find if that change has been applied there yet.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Dave, the Laws of the Game are, for the most part, very logical in their design and interpretation. If you know the basics well, you should be able to arrive at the probable correct decision by just using some good old basic logic. Do not consult your Law book during a game - that tells everyone you were not prepared for this job. Since you have already discovered the bit about the back heel at a PK, which is brand new, I'm assuming you stay up with interpretations, etc. So, when you are confronted with an unusual situation in a game, I'm certain all of that study will allow logic to direct your gut instinct and you will make the correct call. And if you don't, you will learn after the game, and will never make it again. Most errors are not game changers, but even if they are, we must press on. Remember what your entry level instructor told you: "Referees are created perfect, and expected to get better from there."

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Dave thanks for writing and offering to chance to take a swipe at NFHS rules again. The only times a referee is correct in awarding an indirect free kick on a high school match in America is when the kicker touches the ball a second time before another player has AND the ball rebounds back to play from the goal or goalkeeper and the attack has violated rule 14. This is hugely different from the Laws of the Game and Law 14.

Do not fall into the traps laid by the changers of the Laws of the Game into NFHS high school soccer rules. There are significant differences in many areas. You must be completely aware of these differences before accepting any high school match. Not only that, but you must forget the differences when you accept any other match in the world.

You may offer the same thanks I do when thinking about the 13, otherwise normal, people who think themselves better that the rest of the world...

Regards,

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

See Question: 16510