Question Number: 16227

Law 13 - Free Kicks 8/6/2007

RE: summer soccer league Under 15

tj of Patchogue, NY USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 16175

Thank you all for answering my question [16175]. I appreciate your quick response. I realized a few things after the initial question to you. The girl on the green team yelled at the girl on the red team. She just yelled "move back". The yellow card came out so fast the the girl on the red team didn't even have a chance to move. Also, in all the years in our travel soccer league (I used to be a coach) the refs never pushed the 10 yard issue unless it was asked for. It seems that most players don't ask (or don't know to ask) for the 10 in the first place, they just take the kick. So basically the refs never enforce this issue. So it was a suprise when the yellow came out. Yet earlier, in our game with the same ref, our goalie came out to make a save, had control of the ball and got flattened and injured by the opposing team, and no card came out for that.

Thanks for insight and I'll make sure to pass it along so our girls are more aware.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

You can liken the player having to yell "Move Back" to a player retaliation to unpunished hacks, shoves, holds and all the other things referees think they should allow to continue. This action could have been something that was brewing for years between the two players. One who won't retire the distance and one who knows she should! Female players do have a tendency to hold onto things for quite a while where male players just duke it out instantly. Ple3ase get a copy of the question and answers to your referee assignor or coordinator so that steps toward better education can begin.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It is a shame that so many referees are so slow to react to players not respecting the 10-yard distance. I think this is one issue of the game that is among the least consistent in how it is called.

Sometimes the "trickle down" directions we are given from FIFA and USSF get diluted via the preconceptions of those who are to pass the message along. "Allow them the opportunity to take a free kick" morphs into "Don't interfere unless they ask for 10 yards." And when a ref does the latter, the players learn "They have to ask." No they don't.

Unfortunately myths are much easier to establish than they are to break.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Unfortunately for your team, they got a referee who not only knew what the Law was but had the guts to enforce it. The girl that yelled get back cearly indicated she was ready to take a quick kick. Your team, which had already disadvantaged the opponents by committing a foul against them was now further disadvantaging them by not retreating as required. Keep in mind that the team committing the foul has absolutely NO RIGHTS. No right to be asked to move, no right to form a wall, no right to prevent the fouled team to take a quick kick. It has been ingrained into youth soccer that the team that committed the foul have a "right" to form a wall. Think about it. Does this make any sense? You commit an offense and then you are allowed to further disadvantage your opponent by requiring them to wait while you form a wall! This is a myth and one totally illogical if you think about is. As for you comment about your keeper not receiving a card, would have to have been there to comment as this involves a judgement by the referee on the field of play.