POSITIONING FOR RESTARTS NEAR GOAL

March 11, 2009 by Jim Allen

Question:
In a recent game, Blue has a throw-in approximately 6 yards from Yellow’s goal line. Players for both teams are gathered on the 18. The CR is about 28 yards out, watching the players in the middle.

One option for the AR is to be in line with the 2nd to last defender on the 18, watching for offside. Yes, we know you cannot be offside on a throw-in, but there is opportunity for the ball to be thown to the middle of the field and played by someone there to another player who could now be in an offside position.

Another option for the AR is to be positioned between the player making the throw-in and the corner flag. This position allows the AR to keep all players and the ball between the AR and the CR.

1) In the absence of the CR assuming responsibility for the offside calls and instructing the AR to go to the corner, which option would be the best position for the AR?

2) In this particular case, does it make sense for the CR to move to the 18 and cover the offside calls as well as the play, or should the CR stay back in order to have a better angle to watch the play?

USSF answer (March 11, 2009):
You seem to have set up a false dichotomy. The assistant referee’s position on a throw-in is always “even with the second-to-last defender or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line.” In cases where the second-last defender is farther downfield (i .e., farther away from the goal line than the ball), then the rule still applies, but with the proviso that the AR cannot be where the ball is since that is also where the thrower is. Accordingly, the general rule is modified slightly as “even with the second to last defender or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line, and also between the thrower and the AR’s goal line.”

What this means in practice is that, if the second-last defender is closer, then the AR is even with that defender which, by necessity, places him between the thrower and the goal line. If the second-last defender is upfield, the AR is simply between the thrower and the goal line. In either case, the AR must be prepared to adjust based on movement of the ball and the second-to-last defender as a result of the throw-in. What the AR must not do in an attempt to be even with the ball is to stand next to the thrower or even with the thrower but way off the touchline — the AR must still be on the touchline.

For examples, see the diagrams in the USSF publication “Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials” 2008-2009 edition, pp. 17, 18, 31-34.

The referee should be in a place where he/she can see where play is and where it is going, can see the AR, and is not in space the players need to use.…

"Inventive" Refs

PROPERLY TAKEN THROW-IN

March 11, 2009 by Jim Allen

Question:
This is a question related to the throw-in. I have seen this called, and called it myself many times, but as I now look over the LOTG again, as well as advice, I find no backing for it. It could be that this is one of those that has historical significance and is no longer written, or I may have just been doing it wrong.

The LOTG states that a player must throw the ball with two hands, starting from behind the head. I have seen an addition, in practice, in which the thrower must throw the ball straight in the direction they are facing. For example, a red player taking a throw against blue team. Red player is facing towards blue team’s goal, but angles his arms during the throw to send the ball towards his own defensive player, the opposite direction that he is facing. I have also heard that it is illegal to throw the ball in a way that causes it to spin sideways. What is the correct ruling on this? I look forward to your answer before spring season starts in a couple of weeks.

USSF answer (March 11, 2009):
The USSF publication “Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game,” 2008-2009 edition, lifts the veil from the mystery of the throw-in. Read the first sentence of Advice 15.3:

15.3 PROPERLY TAKEN THROW-IN
A throw-in must be performed while the thrower is facing the field, but the ball may be thrown into the field in any direction. Law 15 states that the thrower “delivers the ball from behind and over his head.” This phrase does not mean that the ball must leave the hands from an overhead position. A natural throwing movement starting from behind and over the head will usually result in the ball leaving the hands when they are in front of the vertical plane of the body. The throwing movement must be continued to the point of release. A throw-in directed straight downward (often referred to as a “spike”) has traditionally been regarded as not correctly performed; if, in the opinion of the referee such a throw-in was incorrectly performed, the restart should be awarded to the opposing team. There is no requirement in Law 15 prohibiting spin or rotational movement. Referees must judge the correctness of the throw-in solely on the basis of Law 15.

The acrobatic or “flip” throw-in is not by itself an infringement so long as it is performed in a manner which meets the requirements of Law 15.

A player who lacks the normal use of one or both hands may nevertheless perform a legal throw-in provided the ball is delivered over the head and provided all other requirements of Law 15 are observed.

…

Law 13 - Free Kicks

PLACEMENT OF THE BALL AT KICK RESTARTS

March 9, 2009 by Jim Allen

Question:
This is an accumulation question that comes to mind only over years of watching games.

Referees are typically generous in placement of the ball for the taking of a free kick unless it’s advanced unreasonably closer to the goal (sometimes, just sometimes an inch beyond the corner arcs) OR when the ball is advanced beyond the penalty area or beyond the halfway line. There is no instruction I’m aware of that says that placement must be within the bounds of either area. But, I keep seeing referees force the ball back before the kick is accepted. This seeming pettiness goes against the ambition of keeping the game flowing without unnecessary interruption.

Why do referees do it?

USSF answer (March 9, 2009):
To prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage.…

Law 18 - Common Sense

WEARING THE OSI UNIFORM AT NON-AFFILIATED GAMES

March 9, 2009 by Jim Allen

Question:
I know we should not wear our USSF referee badge for non-USSF matches, but…

From the USSF’s point of view…

Is it ‘legal’ for USSF referees to wear the OSI uniform shirt and shorts with the USSF logo as shown here (http://www.officialsports.com/det_8070.jpg) for non-USSF matches, say for example high school matches?

USSF answer (March 9, 2009):
Referees must wear apparel that is approved for the competition in which they officiate. If there is no uniform requirement in a competition that is not affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation, then referees may wear what they like, as long as they do not bring dishonor on the uniform or themselves.…

Law 18 - Common Sense

OFFSIDE AT A KICK-OFF?

March 9, 2009 by Jim Allen

Question:
After years of officiating, I find this question almost funny… but then I realized (at the higher level of play) the play begins once the whistle is blown, not when the ball is kicked… so can a player be offside if he/she receives the ball from a kick-off?

USSF answer (March 9, 2009):
At a kick-off play does not begin until the ball is kicked and moves forward. No, a player cannot be offside directly from a kick-off; however, that player would have failed to follow the requirement of Law 8 that “all players must be in their own half of the field” and the kick-off would be retaken.…

Advantage

ADVANTAGE

March 7, 2009 by Jim Allen

Question:
This month’s meeting of our local official’s association had us discussing the position paper found on [the USSF] website concerning advantage in the penalty area (04/11/08). We took the tips from the paper and it was beneficial information for all involved. The discussion then turned to advantage. Half of those in attendance believe that advantage ended with the shot attempt by the teammate that was passed the ball (i.e. video highlight Kansas City v. New England attached to position paper). The other half indicated that no advantage developed because the teammate missed the shot. That left us with the question; what constitutes ‘advantage’ and when is it realized or finished? We realize that this scenario that we are proposing is not exactly like the video in that the referee in the video never exhibited the ‘advantage’ signal. What we are asking is if the referee had moved his arms in an upward manner and shouted “advantage” and then the play continued exactly like the video in that the teammate received the pass and did not score. Is the advantage finished with the missed shot or can the referee then go to the penalty spot with the explanation that the advantage never occurred because the shot was missed? We have a group of officials that referee from the lowest levels of youth games all the way up to the collegiate level and the room was pretty evenly divided on when the advantage ended. We need your help.

USSF answer (March 7, 2009):
We believe you will find your answer at the bottom of this excerpt from the position paper:

The basic elements of the decision are straightforward:

– Advantage is a team concept and thus the referee must be aware not only of the fouled player’s ability to continue his or her attack but also of the ability of any of the player’s teammates to continue the attack themselves.
– Advantage has been applied when the decision is made, not when the advantage signal is given. The signal itself may often be delayed for 2-3 seconds while the referee evaluates the advantage situation to determine if it will continue.
– Where it does not continue, the Laws of the Game provide for the referee to stop play for the original foul.
– If the original foul involved violence, the referee is advised not to apply advantage unless there is an immediate chance of scoring a goal.
Inside the penalty area, the competitive tension is much greater and the referee is called upon to make quicker decisions. The time during which the referee looks for advantage to continue becomes defined by the probability of scoring a goal directly following the foul or from the subsequent play.

While the decision lies solely in the opinion of the referee on the particular game, the thrust of the excerpt above is that giving the advantage within the penalty area means there is some definite reason to expect a goal will be scored immediately (within a play or, at most, two) if play is allowed to continue. If a shot is taken — after the foul — by the player who was fouled or by a teammate, and a goal was not scored, then in most cases the advantage has not been realized and the original foul must be penalized. That is why the referee must make the initial decision to invoke the advantage clause very carefully.…

"Inventive" Refs

WEARING SPIKES FOR FITNESS TESTING?

March 6, 2009 by Jim Allen

Question:
While taking the fitness test for recertification and during the Pro Clinics (now know as Referee Seminars) I’ve noticed that some referees will wear track spikes while running the 200m and 50m sprints.

While I’m getting up in age I still feel that I can run with my much younger brothers and sisters with whistles. However if every second counts in determining the types of matches one will get for “pro assignments”, it might be in my best interest to follow in their footsteps and wear spikes as well.

What are USSF’s thoughts of this practice?

USSF answer (March 6, 2009):
At present there is no written policy. The Federation will review the matter and make a decision in the near future. Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention. …