Question Number: 27257

Law 5 - The Referee 3/16/2013

RE: Under 13

Gary of Boston, MA USA asks...

When does a player have to wait for a ref's whistle to continue play?

Throw-In?
Goal Kick?
Corner Kick?
In/Direct Kick?

Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

For all of these restarts, the player may take it quickly - without waiting for a whistle - unless the referee has indicated the player must wait for the whistle. Common reasons for making a player wait are substitutions, injury, misconduct, or having to enforce the required (10-yard) distance.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
The only times that a whistle is required for a start / restart are
1. Kick off
2. Penalty kick
3. 'Ceremonial' free kick where the referee intervenes to enforce the distance required
4. After the issue of a yellow or red card for misconduct, an injury or a substitution

The referee might also use the whistle on a restart where he has held up the restart because of some reason such as an outside agent on the field of play.
Generally a whistle would not be required for any of the regular restarts that you mention.

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

As referees we are only to use the whistle when it is necessary and not to use it for trifling matters. For example, if the ball goes out of play and everyone knows it's a throw in/goal kick/corner kick for the blue team then there is no reason to blow the whistle. In this case it merely becomes an annoyance. We, as referees, should save the use of the whistle for when we need it. Any of the restarts you mention COULD warrant the use of the whistle if, for some reason, the referee deemed intervention was warranted and the restart then became a 'ceremonial restart'. So really, beyond the few situations mentioned above for when a whistle is mandated the use of the whistle can fall under the category of 'it all depends'. All the best,