Question Number: 18393

Law 13 - Free Kicks 2/18/2008

RE: Compet High School

Ken Kaylor of Bakersfield, CA USA asks...

Team attempts "trick" restart via tapping ball on top, no kicking motion, no ball motion, at AR side for Corner Kick. Second player then runs up as first player runs off and dribbles at goal. On second touch this should be a "double touch" and there by a IFK to the defenders. Who is responsible for this infraction of the laws - the AR near by or the CR? For the AR to "flag" this does it require this exact item to be covered the pregame briefing?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Covering it in the pregame will certainly make life easier for the referee crew, but too many referees forego this very important responsibility. If it isn't covered, and the AR doesn't ask (they should), then the AR must decide what to do. If you, the AR, know the ball was not kicked, and didn't move in a direction away from its spot, and that the actual corner kick taker is now guilty of a second touch violation, you must raise your flag and call it. That is an area of your responsibility - the corner in your quadrant. The good news is they won't try it again in your game! (Normally - there are some slow learners out there...)

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

. If as AR you see a foul and the referee does not ,you flag that foul and the referee will either stop play and ask you to assist by pointing out where and what, why and who or if he has no faith or confidence he will wave you off. Communication at the recreational level of a pregame consists of less than a minute of instruction possibly 5 minutes if they are really keen. Given the elite level spends up to three hours you can see where things are left unsaid.

Look to see where the referee is if you witness a foul or infraction get that eye contact . You can only communicate and work together effectively so long as there is faith and trust in those participating. I support the ARs 100% to make a call. Yet the mechanics, fitness positioning, knowledge of the laws and the actual match experience we all bring with whatever our mental state might be for that match will play a role in what lengths I am willing to go. If I absolutely KNOW that call to be wrong I could wave it off. I will sometimes lose faith if I can see the AR is out of position or not paying attention. I will speak to them quietly and seek to bolster their confidence HOWEVER there MUST be a reasonable effort put forth otherwise they are wasting their time, my time and harming the game. We can educate those who want to know but we need not tolerate those who feign interest for a few bucks.

In a pregame you can ask for specific info if you feel a referee has skipped over something. It is true that some referees see a tap or wobble as ok if they eee that both teams are ok with it. To clarify this ask the referee what constitutes a ball in play on a free kick? It must in our opinion move from point A to point B as a result of a kicking motion be it from the tip, side, heel or sole of the foot. The foot must not remain in contact with the ball when it moves and then stops.

I designate the area of responsibility to my ARs if you PLAINLY see something you know I would call if I saw it then you call it. You can look to get eye contact first and see where I am but if you are sure I missed it then you call it! I see you mouth "Two Touches "as you hold up two fingers I can follow the reasoning just fine if we are looking at one another!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Firstly Ken you must understand that few referees are sophisticated enough to understand tapped and wiggled isn't in any way kicked and moved. Right, once that's understood one must realize a referee who accepts tapped and wiggled as kicked and moved isn't going to change his way of thinking during a match because there isn't time to cite page and paragraph of a document he hasn't bothered to read. [see 13.5 ATR]. This must be discussed in the prematch discussion to sort out any incorrect thinking amongst the crew. It is there rational thinking can persuade assumption, myth and feel goodiness.

During the match isn't the place to get into these discussions. Your obligation extends only so far as offering an opinion regarding something by raising your flag saying you think play needs to be stopped. The referee either stops play, plays advantage or waves you off. This infraction of the Laws is something you must offer an opinion about, especially if it happens right in front of you. Offer that opinion.

Regards,