Question Number: 25923

Law 5 - The Referee 1/25/2012

RE: Adult

charels of gardengrove, calif usa asks...

Is there easier way to make right call when the ball deflect-off so fast between two players and could not tell who touched last?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

As a referee, you make a decision and stick with it. If it's truly a bang-bang play so no one can tell who really touched it last, the referee should take the 'safe' option - always decide in favor of the defense, or decide in favor of the attackers, or decide in favor of the team when you are immediately in front of their bench.

This shouldn't happen more than once in a match - heck, it shouldn't happen more than once in a year. But if it does, remember that if you gave the ball to Red the first time, give it to Blue the next time.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Charles
The referee must make what he believes is the correct decision based on the information available to him. Players are always looking for small nicks, deflections off opponents in a similar way. In the absence of 100% certainty I always give the 'most likely' decision which can be the way the ball travelled after contact between the players, team in possession etc.
It is worth pointing out that in these situations the players rarely know either including those in the challenge.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The AR can be of great help when the referee's position doesn't provide a clear indication who last touched the ball. I do not find helpful the player's myth that the direction of the ball is an indication (as if a player never kicks the ball backwards). There are times, however, when the referee must make a decision with less than certainty. The players themselves will sometimes provide clues - - if one on the players involved runs back to defend - that player probably thinks she touched it last.

For me, the solution when faced with the dilemna when no one has a clue who touched it last is simple. I award the throw in to the defense with the certainty of the Oracle of Delphi! Since a throw-in is just a way to get the match restarted, there usually is a 50/50 challenge for the ball within seconds. The players don't know either, and will accept a judgment that is applied quickly and consistently.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

In such situations, what is the right call, after all? If nobody, including the referee or the AR can tell for absolute certain who last touched the ball, then a decision must still be made and made quickly.

Do we get it wrong occasionally? Sure. But I'll wager we're right more often than we are wrong. It doesn't matter to us who gets the throw, so we don't have a dog in the hunt when it comes to who gets it. We call it the way we see it, and make it as fair and accurate as possible.