Question Number: 17233

Law 5 - The Referee 10/10/2007

RE: Class 3 Adult

Edgar Hulatt of Calgary, Alberta Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17027

Your comments to 17027 were extremely helpful and I gained a much more thorough understanding of advantage.

However I'm not sure you answered the question completely as I am still unsure if the ref could have called back the play in either of the two examples and awarded a penalty.

You say that play can be called back if the advantage does not materialise and yes you can have two bites at the cherry. In these cases does advantage materialise with a shot on goal, regardless how poor a shot, or if a goal is scored?

I'm thinking that in the first example, where the attacker got off a good shot on goal, that the advantage materialised but he was unable to take advantage. Therefore no penalty.

However in the second example, where a rushed shot went wide, then the advantage did not materialise and play could have been then called back for a penalty.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Edgar, you have it! That's the answer. You, the referee get to pick what the advantage is and you get to pick whether or not the advantage you chose was realised. It is really that simple!!! Problem is many referees don't understand it is a matter of picking something and seeing if that something happens.

If I pick a shot on goals as the advantage I see happening when the shot happens then the advantage is realised unless the shot is weak based on the offence finally having its effect. If the shot is a rocket that hits the keeper in the chest and nearly drives him into his own goal then the advantage I saw was realised and the keeper's skill saved the day, NOT the foul play. It is really simple...

When we play advantage we don't help the opponent with his failed foul play. When we see the advantage not be realised we ensure the crime does not go unpunished. We go back and punish the original offence. AND we have 2-3 seconds to wait and see what transpires.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I think you understand advantage just fine. WHile a goal is not needed for advantage to be realised, a decent shot is. In the second example the shot was affected so bring it back and award a PK.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Edgar,
I agree with my colleagues you have a good grasp.
ALWAYS consider that a percieved advantage and a realized advandage are in YOUR opinion as the referee.

When awarding a DFK after an advantage was signalled, the shot went off the crossbar and out after a decent save by the keeper. The coach livid because the team was being afforded two scoring opportunities could not grasp the fouled player after losing his balance and the ball heading away from goal at angle was at a full stretch to hook a shot back towards goal. It was a decent attempt from a bad angle and full credit to the player for not going to ground and screaming for foul or a card! Yet the advantage of getting off a shot was limited by the fact the player had a greater opportunity with a higher probability of success from where he wanted to shoot which was the point where he was fouled! The difference in delaying a whistle to await a favourable outcome and actually signalling advantage with the arm sweep and "PLAY ON!" to complete the cycle is in the time and circumstances that a goal from a poor shot or an opponent's mistake counts the same as a goal from a realized advantage.
Cheers