Question Number: 20312

Mechanics 10/20/2008

RE: Competive Under 13

Bill of Walnut Creek, CA USA asks...

Can you give me some guidance on the proper procedure for direct kicks just outside the penalty area, where it is a very real scoring opportunity? I realize the defending team has 'no rights' other than not being distracted by the referees, and the attacking team can quick start if they choose. However, if the defending team is backing up, udoubtedly slowly and not quite far enough, should the CR request they hurry up and move back further, or just keep quiet? If the CR does say something, should he then tell the attacking team to wait for his whistle?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The referee should generally let the players sort things out themselves before acting quickly.

Certainly, if the defender sends someone in to stand right in front of the ball and prevent a quick kick, the referee needs to intervene - and anything above the U-little level that should be met with an immediate caution, not a warning to move back ten.

If the kicking team doesn't appear to want to take a quick kick, then you can hold things up and make it ceremonial, after you have placed the wall. No need to march off 10 yards of course - you know where 10 yards is, just go there and make the wall come to you.

If the attacker appears to want to take a quick kick but looks frustrated by a slowly retreating defender, you have to decide what your reaction will be. Was the defender moving enough that you could reasonably decide he was getting out of the way of the kick? Or was he testing whether you would enforce the minimum distance? Deciding from players' actions what your next step will be is part of the Art of Refereeing.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The referee should stay out of the way and be quiet. If the defenders are retreating the referee should simply observe and not intervene unless necessary

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

While learning mechanics and procedures will teach you to say less more often. Younger ages need in my opinion a bit more affirmative verbal teaching than the older groups. Communication clear and concise is not the worst thing to do. Some attacking players need to be helped to understand that they can go ahead and play other attacking players want you to intervene right away not understanding this concept at all that once you are requested it becomes ceremonial when it did not need be. Ten yards NOW! to hurry the pace from distance is not a ceremonial must be situation in my opinion. While I agree it is better to do as near to nothing as you can if they sort it out well themselves. Jump down the throat of the first miscreants that dare tarnish the restart option might set the stage for quick withdrawal for the rest of the match.

Ceremonial is when confusion and the fair play aspects are in disarray. An indfk for a keeper's illegal handling in front of goal or a dfk for carrying the ball outside the area on a punt out are situations where in all honesty I am restarting ceremonial 100% of the time.

If you as referee do more than point foul direction and are satisfied with the restart location it is likely a ceremonial consideration if the kick does not occur quickly. Of course if you must caution or show any card it should be a whistled ceremonial restart..

BUT and a big BUT if a referee has not OFFICIALLY INDICATED, WE WAIT FOR THE WHISTLE! in clear verbal language, body position or holding the whistle while pointing at it all defenders better be prepared to defend ALL the time until he does!
Cheers