Question Number: 20180

Mechanics 10/7/2008

RE: Youth Adult

Bradd Waggoner of Allen, Tx USA asks...

Is the referee REQUIRED to blow the whistle at an out of bounds? I know the referee SHOULD do so if the ball goes a little ways out but, I am looking for the requirement.
Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

No. The referee is not required to do this. In fact, the referee is reccomended to NOT whistle in these cases UNLESS the ball is quickly out and back in... sometimes I'll use it on deflections where the AR might not see it or to clarify possession when there is a deflection, or if there are two players fighting for the ball and I need to make sure everyone knows who I'm giving the ball to.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

FIFA issued a new document in 2008 entitled Interpretations of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees, located behind the Laws of the Game proper. It is not available in the USSF version of the book, but is available on line at the FIFA website.

The section on page 78 talks about the use of the whistle, about when it is needed, when not, and when it MUST be used. Great reading, and very helpful.

As Ref Montanino notes, unless the ball has left the field and then returned, there is usually little reason to blow the whistle - heck, everybody can see the ball has left the field, right?

Guidelines on using the whistle usually concentrate on using it when needed only - so that when it is used, the players respond appropriately. If the whistle is blown for every little thing, it is annoying and destroys the usefulness of the whistle when it is really needed.

Good question!