Question Number: 14176

Law 7 - Match Duration 10/17/2006

RE: Competitive Under 12

Kelley Carpenter of Dickson, TN USA asks...

When should the referee blow the whistle to call half time or the end of a game? Is there any consideration given to advantage at this point? If the ball is in the air headed toward the goal and time expires, do you allow the play to complete, or do you call time while the ball is in the air?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The half or end of a game is when the referee decides it is. The referee is required to add time for things that slow down the game such as injuries and substitutions. The referee may also add time for any other reason he sees fit. There is always going to be different views on this. Some referees say they decide exact6ly how much time is to be added and will stop the game exactly at that moment. I think that's not the best way to do it, but any referee that does this is within Law. However, I can always find a reason to add a few seconds and would never blow the whistle if there's a shot on goal. Is this unfair to the defenders? No. Why? Because I'd do this for either team.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

When time is up! Most referees will not blow it to end it on an attacking play, but they can. The only time that the game or half must be extended is to allow a PK to be taken.

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

See Question: 14497