Question Number: 29064

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/21/2014

RE: High School

Kevin P of Columbia, SC USA asks...

I am wondering how to address a situation from last season were I to have been the CR.

Quarterfinals match for high school state championships. Team A is up 1-0. The crowd feels team A's keeper is holding onto the ball too long each time. So every time the keeper gets control of the ball with his hands, they start to chant '1-2-3...'.

Though 6 seconds is the Law, in practice, the CR is allowed discretion as long as the CR does not deem it excessive.

Is there a way to deal with the crowd (through the coach) or is it just a case of ignoring the count as it heads to 7-8-9 when the CR feels it isn't deliberate, and the release time has been consistent with the rest of the match as played by both keepers? [For instance, the keeper has smothered the ball and waiting for the attackers, who had just challenged for the ball, to move away before standing up. This will surely be more than 6 seconds, but I wouldn't whistle for it.]

One of my least favorite parts about refereeing is the crowd trying to influence how I call a game, and in High School, the fans seem to be much less familiar with the LOTG and much more vocal.

6 seconds seems too be far too short a time to impart strictly and universally. It is fine if the goal keeper catches it uncontested standing up, but any other time, the keeper seems rushed to release it in 6 seconds.

Thank you in advance for your insight and response.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Kevin,
Rule 12-7-1 on page 53 of the NFHS rules book indicates that from the moment that the goalkeeper takes control of the ball with the hands, he/she has six seconds to release the ball into ball. If the ball is not released into play, the opponents are to be given an indirect kick. There is nothing in the rule that allows CR discretion, if the CR does not deem holding the ball excessive. Once the goalkeeper controls the ball, the ball must be released into play within six seconds. The only decision that the CR must make is when the Goalkeeper actually gained control and was in position to put the ball into play. From that point, no more than six seconds should be given.

An example where a decision on control is needed, is when the goalkeeper dives for the ball and grabs the ball while lying on the ground in a prone position. This position would not allow the goalkeeper to put the ball into play. Once the goalkeeper beings to get up and get in a position to put the ball into play, the six second count should begin.

As for the crowd, In every high school game, there is to be a game manager. Sometimes it is the athletic director, sometimes the coach, or sometimes the school principal. When you officiate a high school game, you should know who the game manager is and if there are any problems with the fans - cussing, threats, fans coming onto the field, etc., you should ask the game manager to intervene and provide the necessary security.

What you indicate above about the crowd does not seem to be a problem to me. You just need to have deaf hears and not listen to the crowd. I realize this is often hard to do, but you must realize that the crowd is there to cheer and influence the referee. If you pay attention to them, you are doing what they hoped to gain. Close your ears and concentrate on what is happening on the field.

I hope this helps and that you and your family have a very enjoyable holiday season.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Kevin,
The sole purpose of the 6 seconds, replacing the 4 steps was to allow the keeper sufficient time and space to get the ball back into active play. You are correct we tend to wait until the keeper is upright and fully in control before we start worrying about our 6 seconds of control being toyed with. The element of trifling or doubtful when time over runs is debatable as to why or when but as long as the opposing team is not blocking the effort 6 seconds is quite a bit of time and while we are not to the micro second delays can become obtuse and obvious if warning signs are ignored! Just be sure that some warning and accountability is included in managing these incidents. I have addressed a keeper that his tardiness was in fact noticeable and if he saw me extending my arm and holding up fingers in a counting motion it was the only indication an INDFK was about to be awarded he was going to get! Once warned they tend not to be so tardy.

As to fans spouting off! Free speech is alive and well, however, at times you get what you pay for lol it can come with a cost! The ability to endure useless prattle versus the right to say useless prattle sigh.
Comprised of a lot of hot air, stinky opinions and wasted time and space in as much as anything valuable is contributed to a conversation or in this case a display of support for a some kids playing a game!
I like the Missouri state slogan, from that navy guy Vandiver I think , 'Frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. Show me!


It is a difficult concept to legislate integrity into the character of an athlete, something's must be present from the beginning of life. While the educational system will hold students to classroom standards on a soccer field with regards to behaviour. I am at times perplexed by the character and attitude of adults on display for our youth to emulate in public settings at times! Good intentions, great ideas, noble aspirations, prime motivators still require a human component to share them in a meaningful way. The life lesson being taught to be a winner and fully embraced by the team that winning is only a by product, the life lesson transcends records, not the results, for the results speak to the actions undertaken and the support network of how a team functions.
A successful teacher or parent must CARE in a way where actions speak louder to the student than the words we parrot, because only those that experience the best in themselves, can attach loyalty and admiration to formulate respect for the individuals who challenges them to do so.

That said it is likely best to be of selective hearing as touchline rabble-rousers are adapt at picking away at susceptible referees with irritability flaws. I have seen professional players counting out loud and using hand gestures to emphasize an opposing keepers' hanging onto the ball for long durations. In fact USA defeated Canada in the women's semi final soccer match at the London 2012 Olympic Games at Old Trafford in Manchester, August 6, this tactic helped them win the match by flaunting the delays in the referee's face encouraging the call so it is understandable as a tactic!

Over time I developed an unusual pattern of perception whereby I saw the game differently when playing the game as a needful player, watching the game as a biased fan, cheering as a proud parent, invested in the outcome as a coach and as a supposedly neutral referee! In an article I wrote long ago entitled ' Are we still on the same side when we disagree? ' I remarked there are four points of view from which a game is seen.

1 players see what they feel
2 coaches sees what they want
3 spectators see what they think
4 a referee with integrity sees what he sees

We have control over our own actions and attitudes nothing more, a positive approach helps reduce unnecessary anxiety and distraction! Unfortunately it does automatically eliminate it. POOR attitudes, poor communications, poor parenting! poor coaching, poor officiating, does not benefit the match or the players!

Adults who set the examples where ego and attitudes reflect the nature of accountability and the awareness or responsibility are on display at every pitch around the country many unfortunately are not conscious of their causes or the negative effect upon others.
Cheers and A very Merry Christmas to you

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

I love a large high school crowd. It reminds us that it isn't two teams who are playing, but two schools.

At my son's high school, they named themselves the 'hooligans.' They were having fun one game, when they chants turned on the opponent's keeper. The school's AD stood up, turned around, and said stop. The hooligans all sat down.

As Ref Manjone notes, the referee cannot allow the crowd to influence the referee's decisions. Indeed, IMO the referee should never let the crowd know that the referee even heard them.

But, it is also critical for the referee to understand how the crowd is affecting the players. Teenage players do not want to be embarrassed in front of their classmates and will be much quicker to retaliation/frustration when little things go wrong. A calm word may be needed quicker than in a match without such vocal fans. (The NFHS rule that allows an IFK restart when one team is in possession is a valuable tool to stop play, check on a player's emotional condition, and then restart.) While chanting can be fun, it should not be permitted if it taunts the opponents. Ask the AD to deal with it. If the fans are not in the stands, suspend the match until they return to the stands.

If all they are doing is counting out six seconds, the referee probably doesn't need to do anything. The opposing keeper either loves being the center of attention and will use the chants as a motivator or will be embarrassed and will release the ball quicker. The referees post game analysis should also discuss whether the keeper was taking too long. There are many tools to warn the keeper not to dally, and preventative refereeing can often eliminate the need to call the foul. (Certain women Olympic matches notwithstanding.)