Question Number: 25445

Law 5 - The Referee 9/17/2011

RE: Competitive Under 15

Matthew Maxwell of Danville, Ca United States asks...

My first question was one that I had while I was playing in my game today (U19 competitive).
I was taking a corner kick and I placed the ball so that a fair amount of the edge of the balls plane was crossing the plane of the corner arc. The ball was not physically 'touching' the line, but a fair portion of the edge of the ball was crossing the plane of the corner arc. The AR said that I couldn't do that, and that the ball had to be in the corner arc. Was he right? I didn't think so because the lines are part of the field of play.

My other question/suggestion I am looking for the answer to is regarding recognizing fouls while being the CR.

I feel like I don't recognize fouls enough while reffing. When I reflect back on some plays in the game, I realize I should have called a foul, but I didn't recognize that while the play was happening. Maybe because there is so much commotion going on?
I am looking for advice on how to recognize fouls. I typically do U14 games or below, typically Class 3 (a step down from the highest level, but still competitive). May you please let me know what you look for when calling a foul?

My last question is regarding hand balls. I've reffed with two referee directors in our league that had opposing views on when to call hand balls. One referee didn't call any hand balls unless it was an almost intentional hand ball, when the player moved their hand in front of the ball. There was a hand ball to hand that he didn't call where the boys hand almost punched the ball forward while he was running (his arms were moving back and forth as they do when you run, when they hit the ball).
The other senior referee I reffed with called a hand ball almost every time the ball hit someones hand.

May you please clarify when I should call a hand ball? I can read the rules and interpretations by US Soccer, and I didn't get a good explanation.

Thanks for your help!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Matthew
Law 17 states that the ball must be placed inside the corner arc. From what you describe that meets the condition as the line and its plane forms part of the arc. However I'm not sure whether the ARs opinion was that the ball has to be inside the arc or he was of the view that the ball was not breaking the plane. In the latter situation if it is that close then it is trifling.
As regards foul recognition that is the most important task for referees. There is no easy way to learn this except through watching good senior officials in action at all levels. Would you make the same calls in the game? Also watching soccer on TV is a valuable learning tool as TV show action replays of referee's decisions or non decision. A word of caution. Do not listen to the 'pundit's' interpretation but simply view the incident as a referee and the call that was made. Another tip is to look at the player in possession of the ball. Did the tackler make contact with the opponent before the ball causing him to fall, stumble, lose control of the ball. Much foul contact can be trifling in that it is has no bearing on the play. Play should be allowed to continue in those situations.
Now the final part which is the interpretation of deliberate handling. The key word is deliberate and that is in the opinion of the referee. That is why the USSF explanation may not seem clear to you. If the contact was ITOOTR not deliberate then it is not DH. The only debatable ones are the handling where the player chose to leave his hand/arm in place rather than withdrawing it to avoid contact. the key on those is distance from the ball as a kick from close range offers no opportunity while from a distance there is ample time to move. In Europe this is what UEFA has to say
'' Although football is a game in which players constantly move their arms and hands as a natural part of their movement, it is recommended that in deciding if a player is handling the ball deliberately, it is essential to consider the following points:
# Was it a hand to ball situation or ball to hand?
# Are the player's hands or arm in a "natural" position?
# Should the player take the consequences of having his hand or arms lifted high?
# Does the player try to avoid the ball striking his hand?
# Is the player able to avoid the ball striking his hand?
# Does he use his hand or arm to intentionally touch the ball?
Referees are also reminded of possible additional circumstances and consequences, e.g. How and where did the offence occur (stopped an attack? Denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity?). They must then punish fully in accordance with the Law.''

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Matthew.
1. Regarding corner kicks, you may have been right but why argue over an inch or two?
2. Foul recognition is the most difficult part of our job. Watch the players. They will always let you know what is acceptable and what is not if you watch them closely. This will change from game to game. As a general rule, call more fouls the younger the players
3. The first referee is correct. Only DELIBERATE actions should be penalized. Deliberate means the player could have avoided the handling. US Soccer actually has a pretty good position paper on 'making oneself bigger' when it applies to handling. If a player is running and arms pumping in a normal manner and the ball hits the arms, why should that player be penalized? How was that a deliberate handling of the ball?

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

See Question: 25469