Question Number: 27266

Law 5 - The Referee 3/23/2013

RE: any level Under 19

Damian Bell of Westminster, MA USA asks...

Is it good practice to blow the whistle after a goal is scored, i have noticed that some refs do, i do not but just wanted to know, Damian

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Damian
The advice I give is to follow what is the accepted 'custom' in an area.
I never whistle when a goal is scored as if I have to whistle to disallow there can be confusion among the players.
The players know that a goal has been scored so a whistle adds nothing. By all means use the whistle to signla a goal if play has continued but that is ineed rare enough.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

IMO, it is not generally a good practice. (Note: I know of some individual high school federations that require the whistle on a goal and the referee should follow local procedures.)

First, players initial reaction whenever they hear a whistle is 'foul' or infringement, and defenders dashed hopes can increase frustration when they learn this whistle means something else.

Second, if the referee blows the whistle a second too soon, the result is a disallowed goal. It is courting disaster to make a practice of whistling after every goal.

Third, players usually know a goal was scored. A whistle adds nothing.

The whistle should be used when the ball has fully crossed the goal line but then immediately comes back into the field. The players don't know that a goal was scored and will continue to play. Stopping apparent play requires a whistle and adds to match control.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A whistle is used to get the players' attention when that is needed. Examples are to stop play for an infraction or when it is not obvious that the ball has gone out of play, to restart play in certain instances, or to get a player's attention to correct something (when the ball is already out of play).

Most times when a goal is scored, it is obvious that the ball is out of play so the whistle is not needed. Only if the ball re-enters the field and some continue playing would a whistle be needed.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Go by what the Laws tell us

The whistle is NOT needed to:
. Stop play for:
-a goal kick, corner kick or throw-in
- a goal