Question Number: 13846

Law 7 - Match Duration 9/20/2006

RE: Select Under 14

Franco of Bloomington, IN USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 13785

In reference to question 13785 on a ref ending a game before a team could take a corner kick.

I originally took my ref license course 5 years ago. At that time the instructor specifically said that if time has ran out, but a team is engaged in a serious attacking play (about to shoot) or a restart had already started, to let the play go and play out for several seconds or when the play has ended and then end the game. He specifically mentioned kick offs, Free kicks, goal kicks and corners, he did not mention throw ins. This is different from the answer on the 13785.

As a coach, I had a ref call the game while my player had her foot in motion to score the goal, near the goal area and goal was not allowed. It was so quick the player could not have stopped her leg from kicking. My original ref instructor told me that this should have been a no-no.

WAS THE INSTRUCTOR INCORRECT ON HOW HE TAUGHT OR HAS SOMETHING CHANGED?

One more question on time management. Yes I am one of those idiot refs that has the watch that beeps as a ref. How do you remind yourself of time or at least I have a hard time if it does sound an alarm. Do none of you use a beeping alarm?

What type of watches do you use and where do you get them?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Absolutely he was incorrect, the only addition for play to be extended is on a PK.
It states that clearly in the laws.
Law 18 is not a law it is an understanding of what the other 17 are and their application to an individual match.
The myth perpetuated here is attacking play to score a goal takes precedence over a team that has defended until full time.

Look at the highschool soccer in the USA they use a clock timer and bell to end the match do they not? While I dislike their law adaptations this time is up when time is up is not without merit.

The referee under FIFA guidelines has the right to add time and given things like tournament and schedualing issues that at times is compromised. IN recent years the use of additional balls, throw in to play when the one in use is kicked out has considerbly speeded up things and provided greater play time.

I can not fathom why an instructer would tell you that if attacking play was in progress you must allow it. The fact is you COULD Allow it if you as referee are comfortable that the time in the match duration with two equal halves is not compromised. But what are you allowing must be worked into that match at that moment. Sometimes the ball is glued to the foot of one team do you let the shots fly until a defender finally gets posession or only the first shot what about the rebounds? DO you allow a breakaway on a long ball punted from deep in the half where a defender trips and rather then end the match as you were going too we now wait to see if the attacker scores? Yes we do not look for a rod to bust our back on or look to get a kick in the butt by not paying attention to a ball just crossing the goal line and whistling it dead but it is as unfair to extend time to allow a shot as it is to take time away for one not to be!

PS I use a count down timer and a digital sekio. I communicate with my ARs (1 who has a running stop watch) in the late stages to ensure we are are into 5 and 1 minute count downs and I signal when we are in additional time as well as how much that will be.
I simply remain aware of the match the ball out of play or even a long run into the corner on an active chase affords me ample time to have a peek.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Your instructor may have been offering a suggestion on that, but that is NOT law. Law states that game only needs to be extended for a PK. I saw referees in the world cup end games on free kicks near the goal just outside penalty area and on corner kicks.

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

Franco,
The referee your mention in your particular match was probably sick and tired of you quibbling about which white painted blade of grass to put the ball on or off or somewhere or nowhere or which is it, etc and ended the match at the sound of his beeping watch counter just to get the blankity blank out of there!

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Beepeing watches are not only annoying they give the players false information. They think the half is about to end when they hear your watch. Your instructor gave you advice, it is not LAW. The game is over when the referee says it is. Most of us will allow play to continue but we don't have to.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 13885