Question Number: 13803

Mechanics 9/16/2006

RE: select Under 15

Lee of South Ok , B.C. Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 13785

Pleased to see Q? #13785 discussed as I recently (Labor Day tourney) had a U14 lad post-game & after hand shake at one of my games ask me why I hadn't allowed 'advantage' just before the final whistle. At first I thought he was talking about a foul that had occurred a few minutes prior to the final whistle, however what he actually meant was that his team was on an attack originating from their defense, coming up thru midfield (pretty much at center circle)when I blew for the game end. He said that refs usually allow play to continue on certain attack opportunities. I shrugged and told him, "sorry bud, time was up, including some for delays & injuries" (game ended in a draw) I wondered at that point whether this might be a norm, as I've only been middling for 2 years and haven't played for awhile. In my 5 years of tons of ARing and keeping secondary time for CRs, I don't believe I've noticed 'discretionary time allowances' for pending attacks. As a CR, I'm sure glancing at my watch & scanning back up at the ongoing action a few times in a matter of a minute span will give at least the bench & crowd an inkling to an impending end! Thanks again for the great ongoing lessons.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Lee You picked a good time to end things. Oftentimes I will show how much time I intend to add on to my assistants. Then it becomes "no secret" and I don't have to take time to look at my watch during play as this may be done at a stoppage.

You can pick a point where the ball is out for a throw-in of goal kick and refuse to allow a restart. The same can be said of a free kick or corner kick awarded past 90 minutes and is not being taken after you've asked more than once. Try not to let your watch beep because someone will find a way to rubbish you for that, too; there's no sense in putting ammunition in their hands, is there?

Bottom line is you get to keep time, and you get to add time at your discretion. Bottom line, you get to blow for time when the full time allotted plus that added to account for substitutions, injured, removing the injured, wasted time and anything else you can think of has expired.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Lee,
myths of the game and accepted ways of doing things sometimes blur. It is true a referee would do well to pay attention and not make a rod for the back if possible. There is a decided difference in ending a match just before a ball crosses a goalline and not allowing a restart of an attack based in the middle third to be completed. I have no issues in acutally informing coaches we are into added time and the amount that time will be. It is not a dark or mysterious secret only a definate decision made by the referee, WHEN, it is appropriate!
cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Your ending of a game at midfield is, in my opinion, nearly perfect. If they're at the opoosing penalty area I'd let them play. You are not disadvantaging the defenders as you would do the same for them were they attacking.