Question Number: 14871

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/20/2007

RE: High School

Patrick Chambers of Kailua, HI USA asks...

Hi guys,

Thanks again for your straightforward and collegial answers to our simple minded questions.

My question involves Law 12.

I was watching a Trin-Tob club team play Chivas, a Mexican pro team, on TV. On a breakaway (1v1) by the latter the keeper came out of the PA and ultimately handled an evasive dribble by the attacker. A RC (DOGSO-H) was issued. I know that the four D's do not apply to DG-H or DOGSO-H, but I got to thinking, "What if a second to last defender had tripped the attacker instead, i.e., DOGSO-F?"

The four D's all have to be obvious. I know that it's always ITOOTR, but what is your consensus opinion about 'distance to the goal' when this occurs outside the PA? I know there are no hard and fast rules here, but perhaps you can offer some sage advice.

Mahalo

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Watching this game on TV would indicate that this was a fairly high-level match. It's not like the U12's playing down at the park.

A professional player should be able to kick a ball into an unguarded goal several yards outside the penalty area. I'd be rather disappointed if he missed from 30 yards out, especially if it was the team I supported that was kicking. So if his opportunity at that distance is taken away, he has been denied an opportunity for a goal. Whether that is an obvious opportunity is for the referee to decide.

The farther away an incident is from goal, the less obvious the opportunity is. That's because the defense would be more likely to recover and stop the play fairly, even if they are not currently in the best defensive position. If the foul had not happened, could the goal have been prevented fairly? That's what has to be going through the ref's head when making the DOGSO vs. USB decision.

You are correct that the 4 D's do not directly apply to DOGSO-H, but they should be taken into consideration as a guide. For example, if there were 3 other defenders around, one of the D's isn't met, and even deliberately handling the ball probably didn't take away an OGSO.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If there's just a keeper and the next to last opponent takes out an attacker I don't care if it's 30 yards out, that's denying a goal scoring opportunity by commiting and offence against an opponent that results in a free kick. That said, you have to make sure you see the rest of the defenders. If there's a chance for another defender to recover then it's just a foul

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Patrick,
we thank you for the kind words!
In every principle that has guidelines we wil occassionally find a set of circumstances that seem to fall just outside that leave us wondering HMMM What should I do? Should I do it differently? Or should I do nothing at all? Advise is a lot like rain, a little is generally good for most everything, a lot can flood the senses and break the damns of reason.
My little is consider the skill level of those playing.
Cheers