Question Number: 25617

Law 7 - Match Duration 10/17/2011

RE: competive Under 19

Neil of REHOBOTH, MA, us asks...

When time runs out in the half or end of game and ball is out of bounds or being set up for a free kick, when is the right time to blow the whistle ! as soon as time runs out as kick or throw are taken or wait till ball hits a player aftyer restart ?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Time is up when time, including all allowance for wastage, has expired. The ball does not have to be in play. (Note that if one team is causing the restart to be delayed - it would usually be the team that is ahead - time should be added on to compensate for that.) The only restart for which the half is extended beyond full time is a penalty kick.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee must decide when time ends, and the final whistle CAN occur when the ball is out of play. But, the wise referee considers one question before deciding that time ends.

Where is the ball?

a) If one bench has just been on the edge of causing the referee a huge problem, it is not a good idea to stop play when the ball is in front of that bench. It is asking for problems to go retrieve the ball in front of an angry bench. If you hold the whistle for a few seconds, the ball will be somewhere else. Tweet.

b) If the ball is being set for a corner kick, and you stop play before the kick is taken, expect an argument. If you stop play while the ball is headed into the goal, expect a murder (your own). If you are going to allow a corner kick to proceed, let the ball move to a 'safe' place.

c) If the ball has been kicked to Wyoming (unless you live in Wyoming) and you stop play, you get to go retrieve the ball. If you wait, a player will retrieve it for you. No player wants to run a 40 yards to have the whistle blow as the player returns. Meet them on the other side of the touchline, take the ball, and thank them.

In my experience, the referee deciding to end play should watch the ball, not watch the watch. We are not required to be chronometers.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Neil
Play ends when the referee decides that time has fully expired. The ball does not need to be in play. Most referees though think about the appropriate time to end a game so that it does not cause an argument or is seen to be biased in favour of one team. Examples include stopping a player through on goal, stopping play at a freekick when the ball is headed for goal, stopping a corner kick etc
Also it is good policy after a goal even if time has just expired to restart play as all decisions before that are now final. The few seconds required can be added on for time taken on the celebrations, setting up the restart, retrieving the ball etc.