Question Number: 29885

Other 11/3/2015

RE: Select, Competitive High School

David Frankson of Oregon, WI United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29860

Just wanted to say thanks to all three of you for your well-thought out well-explained answers and insight! And, I did want to answer one question that Joe Manjone raised--it was a good guess, but no, I am not also a basketball ref. I'm just one of those guys who likes to know the 'why' in addition to knowing the rules. By the way, Scenario's #2 & #3 were actual situations I have encountered and in both cases, I whistled the play dead and assessed a foul against the defender. Scenario #1 was invented to force an answer in an extreme and unlikely circumstance (that still can occur, as noted by Joe McHugh). Thanks again, and All the Best to the three of you. Dave

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi David,
we were happy to be of assistance. Words do not always paint a clear picture of a fast developing situation where it will be judged in the blink of an eye. Foul recognition is as much art as science with intuition and some luck on occasion!
That said concentration, focused efforts, develop good habits and work to get into those best angle of view positions makes you that much more luckier Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
You are more than welcome and we are happy to assist.
Refereeing is always a matter of opinion. The challenge for referees is to inform that opinion that puts him on a par with senior colleagues and also is doing what the law makers want. So well done in asking and taking the time to do that
Safety is also now a key part of officiating and ensuring that players all leave the FOP safe is the number one priority. I am always happy when I see player adjusting their playing behaviour when I make a series of foul calls. I love to hear No Foul or Stand Up shouted by players to team mates. I also hear this I got the ball ref and the player usually does yet the manner of the contact is often ignored. That results in the player being spoken to or cautioned. In the scenarios that you presented the foul can and is usually committed by the player that shows shown a lack of attention or consideration for his opponent when making a challenge or that he acted without precaution. Getting the players to change that is key to good game officiating.
Keep up the good work

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Hi David,

Your knowledge on charging and blocking sounded very much like basketball. Maybe you should consider basketball officiating as an off-season way to stay in shape. I actually worked basketball almost as many years as I did soccer, but had problems the first few games in basketball when I would give the advantage signal when a foul occurred. Please let me know if I can ever assist you in the future.