Question Number: 27876

Mechanics 10/11/2013

RE: Recreational Under 12

Brian H of Seattle, Washington USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27819

Referee Wright questioned Referee Sendrey as to why he was positioned in such a way that allowed a goal kick to strike him outside the PA and rebound to the player who took the kick. I don't know Referee Sendrey's exact set of circumstances that put him in this position; however, we appear to referee the same age and skill level so I thought I'd share some of my experience. Many of the children I referee cannot get place-kicked balls airborne, and many goal kicks either do not get airborne or they get airborne but hit the ground within the PA or just outside it. I have had several occasions where I heard coaches instructing players to stand immediately outside the PA. In response, on goal kicks where I see the opposition lined up close to the PA I have positioned myself just inside the PA, usually on the opposite side from where the kicker sets up the ball. I believe this gives me a better vantage point to judge whether the ball crossed the 18 before being touched by another player. If I see the ball coming towards me (rare), I get out of the way as quickly as possible, or duck or jump over it. I have had several occasions to order a re-take of the goal kick.

I'm just trying to point out that even though I wasn't there I believe Referee Sendrey may have had a perfectly legitimate reason for positioning himself where he was. For what it's worth I think Referee Sendrey did what was best for the game even though it was not in technical compliance with the LotG. I can't say that I would have made the same decision on the field in the middle of a game, because I don't think I am yet able to think that way on my feet without the benefit of hindsight.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brian
The essence of good positioning is that
1. The referee can see play to make the correct decision
2. The referee is not in the way of players and/or space that they intend to use
3. Does not impact on play by getting hit by the ball or impeding player movement.
4. Is positioned to anticipate the next phase of play.
When working with ARs having the lead AR in view is also essential.
From my perspective while working alone I don't believe that referee should focus on the penalty area line at goal kicks to the extent of adopting a position that has the potential for the ball to hit him. When the referee has to make a goal line call on his own, most if not all times, he is 10/15 yards away unless of course he is Usain Bolt. Why should the penalty area call be any different?
If the referee believe that the ball has not come out of the penalty area before it is touched then he make a 'best call' on that from his vantage point.
Any time that the referee interferes with play and he has impacted on a play through contact of the ball at a restart that is not good positioning even if the 'intention' is sound. If a referee feels that he has to be in that position then very wide is better. That places him out of the way, the kick is longer to reach him and he can then move off in his diagonal.
I would also make the point that many referees simply move up and down the center of the field or follow the ball. That is not good movement.
The better movement is always to make an angle of view and to be 15/20 yards from play. The best view to see any challenge is side on and that is why the wide diagonal is best as it places the referee in a good viewing position. The diagonal when working alone of course will change as the referee comes off the tradional diagonal run to get closer to play. That still gives the angle of view though and after play changes the referee adjusts accordingly.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Brian,

I've refereed many games involving very young players whose goal kicks would struggle to make it out of the area, and I've faced a variety of situations where I've had to get a little creative on how to manage it, so I can certainly empathise there!

I've also been hit with the ball in a number of situations, and sometimes it has had a tremendous impact on the game. Sometimes it's when a ball bounces away unpredictable, sometimes I'm caught in a bad position.

But whenever it does happen - and especially if it's a game with a few close calls - afterwards I reflect upon it to think about how it happened and if there was something I could have done better.

So that was the point of the question - to encourage Referee Sandrey to think about how the ball happened to strike him in a critical area of the field and whether he could have positioned himself better - in a way that would enable him to still meet the same goals, but be out of the danger zone.

For instance, if you find yourself having to monitor players right on the edge of the PA at a goal kick frequently, then perhaps a very wide position roughly in line with the edge of the PA (but out to the side) would enable you to watch all the players, but ensure you're not in the way. Even being about 15-16yards out from the goal line, but out to the side of the PA, would enable to you to be facing the players but monitoring the edge of the PA.

There are ways to minimse the chance of being hit with the ball - but of course, it happens, especially when young ages may move the ball around unpredictably.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Brian. I get the impression you feel Ref Wright was being overly critical of Ref Sendrey. I don't think that at all. I think his advice was not only well intentioned but good advice. We've all been there and it can be amusing or embarassing to be hit by the ball. When I first read the question I was amazed any player at that age kicking the ball with enough force to not only get out of the penalty area but to hit the referee and bounce all the way back to the kicker.
I find your suggestion to position yourself on the other side of the penalty area a good one.