Question Number: 14794

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/4/2007

RE: Rec Adult

Yvonne of Rochester, New York US asks...

I play in an indoor league and we were just recently told the phrase "I've got it" is now a penalty. Could you tell me the official ruling on this?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

New news to me! Possibly this is a league policy because of past conflicts with this. Either way it is not in the Laws of the Game or passed down from the USSF.

Read other questions answered by Referee Ben Mueller

View Referee Ben Mueller profile

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Is there someone in authority in your league who comes from England? There is a long tradition, maybe myth would be the better word, that all calls for the ball must have a name attached, "Yvonne's ball!" They've even invented a term for it, verbal obstruction, and sometimes treat it as an IFK offense not a caution.

Under the Laws of the Game, a player cannot attempt to deceive an opponent with an instruction that seems to come from a teammate. For example, telling an opponent to "leave it" in hopes that she will let the ball roll to you is misconduct - unsporting behavior - for which you would receive a caution.

Read other questions answered by Referee Gary Voshol

View Referee Gary Voshol profile

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Yvonne,
the fact is verbal impeding is not yet part of the laws which many are convinced this mine or I got it are! Some believe the phrases such as these are tactically designed to garner an unfair advantage, in truth most time it means simply what it means.
I am going for the ball so my teammates will back off we certainly cannot expect our opponents to back off!

It is not a foul but it COULD fall into the cracks of misconduct if it was used in an unsporting manner. I could call out my own name Richard's ball but if I scream it into the ear of my opponent while I cup my hands around my mouth it is an USB action not a cry to my teammates that I will be the one to take responsibility fot the challenge or gaining possesion of the ball! It is not what is said but how and why that COULD possibly be USB misconduct. It is a myth that it is illegal simply to call out these things
Cheers

Read other questions answered by Referee Richard Dawson

View Referee Richard Dawson profile

Ask a Follow Up Question to Q# 14794
Read other Q & A regarding Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

Soccer Referee Extras: Did you Ask the Ref? Find your answer here.

Enter Question Number

If you received a response regarding a submitted question enter your question number above to find the answer

Offside Question?
Offside Explained by Chuck Fleischer & Richard Dawson, Former & Current Editor of AskTheRef

This web site and the answers to these questions are not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The free opinions expressed on this site should not be considered official interpretations of the Laws of the Game and are merely opinions of AskTheRef and our panel members. If you need an official ruling you should contact your state or local representative through your club or league. On AskTheRef your questions are answered by a panel of licensed referees. See Meet The Ref for details about our panel members. While there is no charge for asking the questions, donation to maintain the site ar

e welcomed! <>