Question Number: 25021

Law 7 - Match Duration 5/28/2011

RE: competive High School

Roger of Swansboro, NC Onslow asks...

During a High School game, with 10 seconds of play left on a running clock, team A is fouled about 26 yrds from the goal. The CR awards a free kick, as Team A sets up for the free kick and instructing thier playes where to be, they kick the ball and the coaches start to yell for the 10 yards. Should you as CR, stop the clock and give the 10 yards, let the clock run and set the 10 yards, or do nothing just let the free kick take place?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Let me understand. There's little time left. According to NFHS rules, the referee should not stop the clock at a free kick. If he holds up play the clock likely will run out. It seems to me if TeamA delays taking their kick while the referee sets the wall, it's likely they won't be able to get the kick off within the amount of time left. Why would the coaches of Team A want them NOT to take their own kick? The only reasonable answer I can come up with is Team A is ahead and wants time to expire. Well, the coaches should have had the kicker ask for the 10 yards before he took the kick. In your question, the kick has been taken. Too late now. I doubt any referee will stop play, set a wall, and retake the kick, just because the coaches are yelling.

If I've misunderstood and Team B is in the lead with 10 seconds left and it'e imperative Team A gets the shot off, why would the Team A coaches demand the 10 yards knowing it's likely the game will end before the kick is taken. Is it possible it's the Team B coaches yelling for the wall to be set? Would be helpful to know the score and which coaches are yelling in order to answer the question.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Under NFHS rules, the referee is not required to stop the clock because of a regular foul (as is required when a card is shown for misconduct or if a penalty kick were awarded). Thus, the referee normally would not want to interfere with the attacking team's right to a free kick unless the attacking team clearly asks for it since it is unlikely that the kick would be taken before time expires. (Referees IMO should look to the kicker, not the coach, for such an indication.)

Absent unusual circumstances, the referee should not stop the clock merely to give the attacking team a last shot. OTOH, if a player on the defending team is deliberately attempting to interfere with the quick free kick to run out the clock, stopping the clock, cautioning the defender, and then allowing the restart after the defender has been substituted, is an option well within the referee's power.

Under TLOG, the referee always has the option to add time for the delay. NFHS rules on time are different.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Roger
The circumstances that I think the referee has to take into account are whether the foul was committed for tactical reason that is close to goal in the last few seconds and whether the defending team is deliberately trying to run down the clock by interfering with the QFK. In both cases the referee would be entitled to caution which would stop the clock. In the absence of either, time would simply run on.
Unlike NFHS, the Laws of the Game allow the referee to add on time for the delay.
As an aside worth considering for those in NFHS Rules is the concept that play can only finish when the ball is out of play for a goal, goal kick, throw in or corner kick. So for example if the ball is in play and the clock reaches zero the play would continue until a natural out of play stoppage. This is used very well in rugby which means that in this case the ball must be put into play and then the referee waits for the ball to go dead before blowing for full time. It prevents all clock shenanigans plus preventing fouls against the team that want play to continue as they are entitled to the free kick and they will try to keep the ball in play. The team that wants play to end will try to gain possession and kick it out of play or their opponents will make an error by allowing the ball to go out of play. The scenario as desribed does not arise as the free kick must be allowed and the referee waits for the outcome.