Question Number: 17988

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/23/2007

RE: AYSO Boys U10 Under 10

Mike of Chino Hills, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17975

I will concede that the keeper did not have possession of the ball due to the deflection off the arm [17975]. That part of my reasoning was probably a stretch, and I appreciate the clarification. I did consider that it could have been PIADM by the keeper. But according to ATR 12.13, the act usually becomes an offense when an opponent ceases to challenge the ball in order to avoid receiving or causing injury. In this case, the keeper could have easily grabbed the ball -- as a more mature keeper most surely would have done. However, I believe the keeper ceased play out of fear of injury from the attacker. On the other hand, the attacker did continue to challenge the ball despite the danger. So I determined it was the attacker who was PIADM. If the attacker had ceased play, it may have been PIADM by the keeper. Most likely, the keeper would have grabbed the ball as soon as the attacker ceased. If so, I would have been relieved, and probably would not have called a foul. It would have been hard to fault a keeper for diving on the ground to stop the ball. This is probably one of those "had to be there" scenarios. I'm a new ref, and study these laws like crazy. But I struggle over this keeper/attacker scenario the most. I see more disputes over this in U10 than anything else. Especially if the ref lets a dangerous play unfold. I'd like to get it right, so I'd like to know if my reasoning is off. Cheers and thanks for all the help.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

In this case, as my colleagues have already indicated we can hardly fault your consideration for safety. The idea that you must stop play for an infringement be it one way or the other for PIADM though, does not fit the facts as the ball is free for play after a save.
You can not always stop the possibilities that a keeper will be hurt.
Playing keeper and throwing ones self into the feet of oncoming players is a risky business. The keeper having a ball bouncing, be it near his face or fee, is a consequence of active play after the deflection, not anything wrong either the keeper or opponent did! If you stopped play because of a potential infringement that might occur with no clear idea if the criteria is met, then the only fair restart is, in my opinion, a drop ball. That said as the referee in charge as an opinion your decision will always be correct and uncontestable no matter which way the free kick is awarded. In the struggle to be fair and right, you got to love those discretionary powers!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Mike, if I might suggest a possible approach in such situations, where the ball is loose, but you anticipate it might be dangerous, especially with the very young U10's, U8's, etc. is to verbalize something like "Careful, now!" or "Take it easy - let's be safe." It will help you learn to do this at the older ages where it is important in player management and it will remind the little ones to take care not to hurt each other. They don't have the skills to skim a ball off near the fingertips of the GK, or to jump over him instead of kicking him, so a little voice control can be of use to them. That way, you might not have to blow your whistle and give a dropped ball or even end up having to do the PIADM routine. Best wishes.