Question Number: 16387

Law 7 - Match Duration 8/21/2007

RE: Select Under 15

Mike Grimes of Mayfield, Ohio USA asks...

Late in a game, team A is winning by one goal, team A consistantly kicks the ball out of play and not just over the touch line, but 10 or 15 yards away. This is done time and time again. Is this an infraction of the laws of the game, what is the penalty ?
Thank you

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

This sounds like an attempt by the team ahead by a goal to waste time, which is an offense punishable under the Laws of the Game. There are many ways for a referee to deal with this issue, and it depends in part on the teams, skill levels and many other factors. A good first salvo on the part of the referee is making it known to all players, especially the captains, that the referee does have a clue about the sudden ability of the ball to wing itself off, far off, of the field. She correctly notes her watch has the official time, and she will add time as necessary to make up for the time wasting going on. Usually making that statement will fix the problem, calm the team who is behind, because they know the referee is paying attention and will not cheat them out of time to play, and also lets the other team know the referee is on to their 'tactic' and will not allow them to profit from it. Let's hope it doesn't need to go past that solution.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

When I have a team that likes to waste time like this, I'm very generous with added time. I let them know I'm adding it, but because of my feeble brain I can't add the exact seconds, so I'll have to add in half- or one-minute increments. And I round up.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I agree with ref Voshol. Let everyone know that time will be added and that it is not benefiting the team trying to do this. It is tough to sell a caution for this as players can argue they are free to kick ball that is on field anywhere.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I make a big showing of the fact that I will add time every time this happens. I won't caution anyone because it's not unlawful to kick the ball that is in play while it is on the field of play.

I also have a much lower tolerance about any action the team may take while the ball is out of play that I might feel is "delaying the restart of play."