Question Number: 15286

Other 4/26/2007

RE: Competitive Under 15

Steve of Vero Beach, Florida USA asks...

In a recent tournament game that I coached we had a bizzare set of circumstances. The AR1 assigned to this game was no where near staying with the play. In the 1st half, we were attacking the goal opposite his side. On one particular play, the GK from the opposing team punted the ball. An attacker from his team was waiting and received the ball 10 yrds past mid-field and all defenders were at mid-field. No offside flag. They scored because no one could catch up to the speedy attacker who beat our GK for the score. They won 3 - 2. Prior to the kick, we asked why he did not flag for offside and he stated, there can be no offside on a goal kick. We appladed his knowledge adn then reminded him that the play in question was a punt not a goal kick. He walked away.

We all make mistakes. The match is history and of no importance at this point.

My question is this:

1.) As an AR, if I realize after a goal is scored that there was an offside infraction, but before the kick off [as in this case], am I not obligated to make the correction?

2.) There were many more incidents like this through the remainder of the game. After the game I went to make a protest, when it struck me what the problem was. This kid [probably 15] was showing signs of heat exhaustion. I informed the field authorities and they relieved him of his next match. I never made the protest. Is there information for Referees concerning the dangers of underhydration and recognizing these dangerous signs?

Thanks for your insight - it is invaluable.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Steve. Perhaps the player that received the punt was in his half of the field at the moment the punt was made and then crossed over into the attacking half? I don't know but this is possible. Assuming what you say is correct, if the AR agreed with you and the ball had not yet been put into play on the kickoff, the AR should have informed the referee who would have waved off the goal. At most tournaments, you cannot protest a judgement call anyway. I agree with you as to heat and dehydration. Been there and done that. Especially teenagers that are convinced they are invincible. We all should be hydrating every chance we get when working in heat. I'm in Atlanta and it gets HOT this time of year.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The offside decision, stuff happens. Well handled, thanks for not coming all unpuckered. With extreme fatigue vision and reasoning powers are the first to go. He found that little bit of knowledge out the hard way.

I've been a walking heat casualty for 40+ years, it ain't any fun so I try to stay hydrated. I also can recognize it in others and help where I can. But, as Ref Contarino points out, some folks are immortal so the rest of us mortals can't get through to them. That is, until they go down and have to be replaced -- then they get the message!

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Steve,
I like the way you look at things and are to be commended for not freaking out on the less than stellar performances. I also appreciate your concern for the well being of the young official rather than scream at the unfairness of it all. You are correct of course a punt is not a goal kick and aged 15 and confused the AR might be it is a very basic premise of offside!

If the referee was made aware by the AR that there was an offside infringement as long as that notification was made before the kick off the goal could be disallowed. But your complaint to the AR was ill advised and my ARs would not respond to any request to explain. mind you I can not blame you if you tried. Each time you direct their attention away the greater the likely hood of further errors.
You could record the event and submit it in your letter to tournament officials. It is important that a wrong or inept display of soccer law by an official is addressed in some progressive manner!

I will tell you though as a referee, no coach can engage my AR's in conversation regarding play. Being right as in this case is not an excuse. Often ARS are mercilessly hassled and simply exploited because they are within ear shot!

Coaches are instructed to bring any problems to me via the captain. Admittedly this is a PERSONAL preference on my part; I do not want to start a myth that captains have any special rights. It is because I choose to use them as a conduit for communication to take the personalization or problems of generalized dissent. I suggest you ask a referee at the start of a match through your captains, "Sir if we are polite and at an appropriate time could we bring to you a concern or request for an explanation on occasion?. Then use these moments to do so. Do not overburden the referee with a deluge of WHY this ,why that? Pick a real issue to clarify! Not debate a decision that you were simply going to have to agree to disagree.

Tournament exploitation of too many games and too few referees is not uncommon. I refereed in one tournament 15 matches in three days in my stupider, of well we got to make sure the kids can play phase)

The referee should be in constant communication with his AR and this often is not the case with younger or inexperienced officials. Tournament organizers MUST ensure adequate water and shelter/shade is provided for the officials especially during hot weather. I wear cap and sunscreen and told those who say a hat is not part of our equipment to go find some other officials.

I had an AR who was diabetic but failed to mention that fact to me. He was ok at first but seemed to be failing to follow offside as well as I expected he was sort of rambling along the touchlines. When I looked over to see where he was and he was not with play. I stopped the match and went over to him to find out what was wrong. It was a very hot day, he appeared drunk and dehydrated. After requesting an ambulance, I was aware now he was diabetic and his blood sugar was way too low so I fed him a glucose tube and water and wrapped him in cold packs.
So yes we are responsible to a degree to pay attention to our colleagues and the tournament officials should also be aware of the conditions as well as the liabilities in not disclosing medical conditions.
Cheers