Question Number: 17458

Law 5 - The Referee 10/22/2007

RE: Rec Other

Chris Riffenburg of Redford, MI USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17398

I really did not see a definate answer to my question [17398]. Or, is there not one. Mr. Dawson wrote about referee guidelines which stated the same answers for the question about when to blow or not to blow the whistle. I really don't need theory's or opinions just an answer of yes or no if there is indead a rule or prosedure. Thanks again!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Let me see: my colleague took the time to repeat the Additional Instructions and Guidance regarding when the international governing body of Football suggests to blow the whistle. You asked exactly when to blow the whistle.

Now you "don't need theory's or opinions just an answer of yes or no if there is indead a rule or prosedure."

You have got to be kidding soccer parent! There is no yes or no answer, the correct answer is maybe. You can not learn how to referee this Game watching the television, it takes YEARS of experience to even have a clue about refereeing a Football Match.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Throughout the Laws of the Game you will see references where the referee is told to give a "signal". Sometimes we use the whistle. Sometime we don't. Most referees are consistent in when they DO use the whistle. For example, I ALWAYS signal for a kick-off or penalty kick with the whistle. Almost never for a throw-in, corner kick or goal kick. Since new FIFA guidelines tell us to use the whistle to start play after a substitution, I always do that also. Every referee I know STOPS play with a whistle. The rule or procedure you seek is for the giving of a signal, not the use of a whistle.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Chris, the referee starts or stops play with a signal. The players may not begin play until the signal is given. Sometimes the signal is a whistle - more often than not. There isn't an iron-clad rule or procedure about how to start - but there are guidelines. It can be relatively individual with each referee. I had a referee many years ago who started every game by announcing "Play Ball!" loudly when it was time for the kickoff. Not standard, but legal. Perhaps if you could give us why you want to know, we could do a better job of figuring out what information would be more helpful?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Chris I will tell truthfully I am a tad upset at your response. Perhaps I am overly defensive, I believe I can take criticism and will readily admit to being in error if it proves to be so but I really think there was no definite questions hence the indefinite answers.
You remember this part in my first response,
"In some ways it is like dispensing non stop advise to your kids they listen but as you repeat and say too much too often they tend to not consider it as important or respond to your attempts."
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR REFEREES That was not a yes or no to you?
I will at times go beyond the surface, evidently I dug too deep?.
You got a longer answer than some and you now complain you did not want all that extra stuff? You paid how much? A bit of time to design a maybe question that has multi-facets of conceptual outlooks? I generally enjoy the helping of a questioner on points of the game, and although slightly bewildered from your response if I failed you in some manner I apologize but remain puzzled by how?

Cheers

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

See Question: 17498