Question Number: 24218

Law 5 - The Referee 10/22/2010

RE: Middle school, high school JV and Varsity High School

Mike Monce of Lebanon, CT USA asks...

I've been a USSF ref for 4 years, and last year started to also do high school reffing (NFHS). My local ref board for high school refs has a general interpretation policy that one should not call penalty kicks unless the foul is very very obvious. Further, in game situations such as when the game is tied, the PK should be avoided as it 'changes the game' (Duh!). As a result not many PK's are ever called, even when they should be, at least in my view. Many of these refs have been reffing for many years... most in the 15-25 year range. As a relatively new ref this has bothered me as it seems the refs are changing the rule on their own. Is it my inexperience, or are they wrong?? Never had this issue with repect to USSF games.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
I have said on many occasions that once the referee steps on to the field of play he/she is the sole decision maker in respect of that game. He/she can be assisted by ARs but ultimately the referee makes the call in that game on that day. No-one else.
Now as regards what local boards wants that is a matter of interpretation. One referee might consider a foul very obvious whereas another referee might not view it as such. As regards avoiding making a decision because it changes a game is not something that IMO a referee can agree to and I'm not sure that would be ever stated policy. If a player deliberately handles the ball or drags down a player in the last minute of a game is that going to be ignored? I would hope not.
Personally I would ignore any 'talk' that goes against the delivery of fair play and referee the game as I see it. If I need to award a penalty in the last minute of a game becuase of a blatant foul or deliberate handling then no question in my mind.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Of course one has to be sure that a foul has happened before calling it; if that's what they mean by 'very very obvious' that's OK. I suspect they mean 'very very blatant' - don't call anything unless the kid takes out a bazooka and blasts the opponents away. That's compounded by the instruction not to call PK's when the score is tied.

Referees don't decide games by making calls. Players decide games by committing fouls. Someone missed understanding that.

You have two choices here. You can take the games as you hold your nose to keep out the stink. Or you can choose to look for games in another locality.

A third option would be to try to get the board to see the light, but as a newer referee that might be futile.

You could also fall on your sword and report the faulty interpretation to your NFHS state committee.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

NFHS permits each state to modify the rules, but the notion you describe is contrary to what is taught for high school in Southern California.

We expect that the referee will be certain of the call before awarding a penalty kick, and will adjust what is a doubtful or trifling infringement to the skills of the players and the atmosphere of the game. But, we also expect that the referee will have the courage to award a penalty kick if deserved.

When a referee accepts a match, the referee must apply the official directives and interpretations provided by the league and the local association. (It is difficult for a newby to persuade veterans to change old ways.) We are always free to not accept matches. IMO, however, the high school soccer match is no place to be a maverick.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Is this policy actually in writing? It's wrong everywhere whether USSF or NFHS. Sure, there are a lot of gutless referees that WON'T call anything in the penalty area but it's hard to imagine written instructions not to give PKs. This gives the defending team a free pass to manhandle any opponent inside the penalty area.
You will probably call as you see fit as would most of us but be prepared for few assignments

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Heavens! That is just flat ridiculous if the board put that in writing as a policy (or as anything for that matter)!!! It is one thing to ask referees to be careful to award PKs only for the offenses that merit them (in other words, it was not a trifling or doubtful offense) because as we know, the Laws and even the HS rules do not anticipate the referee will need to call each and every little or big foul that happens. It is wholly another thing to steer referees away from calling a PK at all, especially when the game is tied! Do these guys do any USSF games in addition to HS? Are they totally spineless?

I would ask when this policy was instituted and whether it should be reviewed. And, I would report these clowns to the NFHS board.

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

See Question: 24229