Question Number: 28806

League Specific 9/30/2014

RE: USSF High School

Stephen Chalko of Fishers, IN USA asks...

In a High School match, a corner kick is awarded. Time runs out and the center whistles for half time before the kick is taken. Should the kick have been taken or did he do the right thing by ending the half?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Stephen
The referee was correct here. As time had fully expired no further play is allowed. The same would apply in a FIFA/USSF game.
The difference though is that in a FIFA / USSF game the referee has some discretion in the amount of added time that he plays which is added on at the end of a half or at the end. He is the sole timekeeper so finding a few seconds is always possible so he could allow the kick to happen.

Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

In high school, the only reason time can be 'extended' is for a penalty kick. Otherwise, when the clock expires, so does the half. As Ref McHugh points out, there is some leeway in FIFA competitions but not in High School. In this situation, the referee was correct.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

He did the right thing. Under high school rules, time is fixed and the rules provides that time expires when the clock hits zero. (Indeed, some schools use a timekeeper and a stadium clock/horn.) The referee does not have the power to add time.

But, the high school rules provide that the clock must be stopped for specified events during the match such as goals and cautions, and the referee may stop the clock for other reasons (such as injury). This usually results in a total time for a match roughly equivalent to what happens in matches played under the LOTG - - although using a different procedure.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Stephen,

The referee is correct. Please check NFHS Rule 7-1-4 on Page 36 which states: A period shall end at the expiration of time. Exception: Play shall be extended beyond the expiration of a period, in regulation time and overtime to permit a penalty kick to be completed.

I hope that your season goes well.