Question Number: 17838

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/10/2007

RE: U-15 G D-2 Adult

David Ogrin of New Braunfels, Texas USA asks...

I was the AR1 on a U-15 girls match where both teams played a very high trap defense. I looked up and saw 25 people one time within three yards of mid field.

On a number of occasions the ball came through the defense line and an attacker was off to the races.

My question is when does a run that starts at midfield turn into an obvious goal scoring opportunity?

What rules of thumb do elite referees use? I ask because at 40 yards nothing is obvious. At 25 yards it seems to becoming obvious. At the top of the penalty area it seems a no brainer.

I enjoy the site.

David

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

David, what were 25 people doing on the field? Maximum should be 23, if you count the referee - was there a subbing issue? As to your question, there is no hard and fast rule, which I think you already know. The further from the goal you get, the harder it is to meet all four D's, especially since so much can change in 40 yards of field. That's not to say an attacker with tremendous speed and the ball couldn't draw a DOGSO when he's taken down from behind by the only defender other than the goalkeeper who could even hope to catch him 40 yards out, but every situation will have different circumstances. I'm not an elite referee, but I suspect they would tell you the same thing - it's pretty much common sense. If it meets the 4 D's, the defender gets sent off. If not, you're left with the rest of the options within the Laws of the Game.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

I think you have a decent grasp on when an opponent can get into the denying a goal or goal scoring opportunity thing. The farther away from goals the less likely it can happen. Remember it is the distance from goals, the number of defenders, the direction of movement and the distance the attacker is from the ball that lead to a decision. One other thing must be present, your idea that an opportunity exists, if Roger Rocket Boots is up against Sammy Slug a goal scoring opportunity might exist at the halfway line...

Regards,