Question Number: 24659

Law 5 - The Referee 3/6/2011

RE: Grade 8 Under 16

Elias of Buffalo Grove, IL USA asks...

What would you suggest to do to not confuse the different team colors. Ex: I called an IFK in favor of a white team, when it should have been for blue, and pointed the wrong way. Before the kick i corrected myself.(this was during 2nd half) Any way to keep from false calls cause it sure gets the anger in parents going. :)

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

This happens to me sometimes, especially at the beginning of the second half when the colors switch ends. It only compouds things when you do multiple youth games in a day, especially if teams wear similar colors from game to game.

As an AR, a trick to use would be to consider the attacking team to be 'your' team. You're not really rooting for them, but if Red is attacking, you know which way to point for Red throw-ins.

As a center, we don't have a particular end of the field, so we just have to be more diligent. It may help to verbalize the call as well as signal it: 'Blue kick here'. They will at least know what you mean to have happen.

If you do point the wrong direction, you have to correct it. Make the restart ceremonial so the team that you misled into thinking they were attackers can recover to defend.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

People understand that referees make mistakes in pointing direction. Blow the whistle again, apologize, and indicate the correct direction. What happens next is critical.
Don't let play restart until everyone is ready. Let everyone know, using a loud 'wait for the whistle. My mistake.'

Teams moved into position in reliance on the first signal, and are not ready to defend a quick free kick. Making the free kick ceremonial keeps the match fair and unaffected by the error. Then, you can let it go and concentrate on the match.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

We all make mistakes. I find players/coaches/parents (to be honest I really don't care what parents think) are very forgiving if you are loud and clear that YOU have made a mistake and are going to correct it If you can do so with some humor ('Oops. My Bad. Looks like the blind ref got another one wrong!!!') so much the better but make certain everyone is in position and make the kick ceremonial.