Question Number: 18644

Law 7 - Match Duration 3/30/2008

RE: Grade 8 Other

Robert of Brookhaven, New York USA asks...

A corner kick is awarded with only seconds to play in the first half.
Ball is put into play and clock runs out.
Lots of positioning and passing inside the box. Do you blow the whistle and end the half or do you allow play to continue to see if something materializes

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You blow the whistle to end the period when time expires. You have the decision on when that happens because it is your duty to add time on to the half to replace time lost through play.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If time plus that which I have deemed necessary to make up for lost time expires I end things without waiting. Many say let the attack have one more chance others say the defence gets the last touch and still others saying the clock tells when things are over. I am tasked with keeping time and making up for lost time, I do so. Then the period of play ends.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Making time where there isn't any is failing in the job of referee. If you are not certain you have accounted for every missing second and decide an extra 5 or 10 seconds are permissible, then you are doing your job as a referee.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

When exciting things are happening right in front of the goal as you describe, the referee should be focusing on that play rather than the last few seconds ticking off his watch. Having said that, the ref should have known when the ball went out of play that there were only a few seconds left to play - because she looked at her watch then, when she had the chance, and has taken into account all time that needs to be added to allow for time wasted. She then can count down the remaining time in her head, and when she reaches zero (plus maybe a moment or two just to be sure), she can blow the whistle. If the attacking team has not managed to score, then the defense has been doing their job, and it would be a huge disservice to them to make them continue defending just because the ball is still in play. The offense had their chance and couldn't capitalize on it - why give them extra chances?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

That is up to you. When all the time has expired and all the added time has expired, technically the match is over. On the other hand, the referee should ass all time lost and the exact amount is at the discretion of the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Yes there are times when the ball ping-pongs around and is like glue on the attacker?s feet and there was a repelling magnet on the defender's foot. We look for ways to end matches less controversially then when a ball is headed into the goal but to be fair time is relative and rarely to the micro second. It is as unfair to defend longer as it would be to not play the correct amount. It is true that if we are into dying seconds at a corner and you as referee think a few seconds are for the ball flight and one good crack of ball goes in or not then hit the whistle as it is YOUR decision. Remember ONLY on a PK is a match extended PAST its time making up for lost time be sure we are not making more time just because one team has ball possession!
Cheers