Question Number: 18767

Law 13 - Free Kicks 4/12/2008

RE: Competitive Under 15

John of Boston, MA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 18751

I had a situation last season that I thought I handled well, but runs contrary to your advice to only become involved if asked by the team taking the free kick.

The players on both teams (U14 boys) are skillful, experienced players. Green defender fouls white attacker while clearing the ball. Four or five green defenders immediately set up a wall at three yards, and white has placed the ball and is ready to proceed. This is an American football field, so it is obvious to all what the correct distance ought to be.

I barked "Give ten yards!" at the ridiculously close wall of green defenders, and turned to white saying "Play when you are ready" in a voice loud enough for all to hear, and extended my open hand to show that they were free to take the kick.

The wall shuffled back to 7 or 8 yards and a white attacker took a nice shot, just over the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper - Goal!

I didn't want the defense to profit by delaying the free kick, and neither did I want to deny white the chance to take their kick freely. What are the risks to acting as I did?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi John,
You act when NEEDED! We try not to intervene UNLESS there is a reason! We only stress that the team taking the free kick has a right to take it as they wish. Our job as referee is to ensure they are afforded the opportunity. You did that effectively in my opinion, as a quick bark of "10 yards now!" is NOT the same as in saying we wait for a whistle. You gave a clear restart signal "Play when you are ready" The risk rewards for intervening in a free kick are fairly dependant on the specific situation, whether or not you NEED to caution, the willingness of the participants to follow and understand your directions.
If we are asked to set up a ceremonial restart it is generally because we either failed to adequately address the encroachment or the team taking the kick wants time to set up their own play or use up their own time.
The result turned out well but let me ask if the kick missed since the wall was at only 7 yards would you have retaken and or cautioned the defender(s) Because you said publicly to go ahead and restart it indicated to some extent your satisfaction with the defender's compliance. That perhaps is the risk? The balance of equating fair play and using sound judgment a referee with integrity sees what he sees! I have added, 10 yards now gentlemen and did not add anything else only accepted the desire of the fouled team to decide what to do. I have answered, ?Can we go?? with a, ?Yes you can!? or Yes or Go or Anytime!

ONLY if I SPECIFICALLY intervene to stop play and caution or by the fouled team's request and indicate a whistle restart will I position myself as truly involved in the outcome and thus ceremonial in nature the restart will be!

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You did good. I don't know what we said to make you think this was bad... you didn't prevent the attack and you 'encouraged' the defenders to follow the law, so then you did your job. Nice work.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I don't think we have ever said don't become involved unless asked. At the taking of a free kick, the first thing you as a referee must do is not inhibit the kicking team from getting off a quick kick as occurred in this case. Upon seeing the defenders setting up a 3 yard wall, I'd have been tempted to caution someone in the wall but would be watching the kicker to make sure he wasn't trying to get a quick kick off. It appears you managed things quite well