Question Number: 27369

Law 5 - The Referee 4/29/2013

RE: Competitive Under 19

Eric Petty of Fort Collins, Colorado U.S.A. asks...

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the two different ways of calling advantage? At first I would signal advantage immediately and then go back to the foul if advantage did not materialize. Going back to the foul often generated complaint. Now I wait to signal advantage until it is realized, but this delay sometimes causes problems in games with older and more excitable players. Which do you prefer, and why?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Eric,

How to apply advantage is an interesting one, and different countries apply it differently, so it's important to know what the instructions are in your area.

In Australia, we're instructed that applying advantage is the decision, like awarding a free kick. What this means is that we are taught strictly not to call advantage until after we can see it has materialised - calling advantage, then going back to the foul, is how it's done in other countries, but we're firmly taught not to do it here.

Personally, I like that we don't have the risk of looking indecisive. However, the biggest risk is that, in the 2-3 seconds where we're deciding whether to apply advantage, the fouled player may think we've missed a foul and may then retaliate, which puts us in a very difficult position. There are ways around this, such as by telling the players 'I've seen it! Keep going!' to minimise the chance of this being a problem - it's important that the players know these matters are in your hands and you are aware of what's happening.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

For whom is the advantage signal given?

First and foremost, it is for the player who was just fouled. She expects to hear a whistle. She can get very angry and retaliate if she thinks herself a victim twice - - once by the opponent and once by the referee. Moreover, she's not looking at the referee, she's looking for the one who fouled her. Shouting 'play on' or 'advantage' helps her know that the referee saw the foul and is allowing play to continue. Waiting too long increases the chance of retaliation.

Second, the advantage signal is for the most of the teammates of the player who was just fouled. They saw the foul and the enforcer is looking for the person who committed the foul. The big, sweeping arm gesture is for them. They will turn their focus to the referee who is following play, and then to the play itself.

The nature of the foul will usually tell you how long you have to give the signal. The rougher the foul, the quicker the referee needs to use voice and signal. For small things, simply waiting a few seconds to make the call is enough. For big thinks, should out that you are allowing the advantage.

Finally, I suspect that the only ones complaining when you revoke the advantage are the ones committing the foul. They don't like that the opponents get two bites at the apple. But, indicating the advantage AND going back and calling the original foul reinforces that the laws intend that the victims get two chances. It leads to fewer fouls. It leads to less retaliation.

Advantage is among the referee's most powerful tools. Don't weaken it by silence.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Eric
One of the skills need to be a competent referee is the use of advantage. When a foul occurs the referee has two choices. One is to immediately call the foul when there is no hope of any advantage to the fouled team. The other is to evaluate what is likely to happen and if there is an advantage to allow play continue with the use of the signal and shout of 'advantage' . Now sometimes the advantage doe not work out immediately and the referee has discretion to cancel the advantage and go back to the original foul.
The skill is to adopt a short wait and see which allows the referee to evaluate what is happening and then make a decision. The trick is to ensure that the wait & see is not so long that it excites players and also that advantage is then given with the signal and call.
The test for the referee is to find a 'system' that works well for his game. Personally i don't like calling back advantage so I wait & see and then when