Ask the Ref Responses

Ask the Referee: 2008 Outdoor Questions and Responses

(Aug 27th) Question 35 A forward carried the ball towards the goal. A defender running along his side give him a push. The forward lost his balance, tumbled 2 steps sideway, managed to take a shot. However, because of his tumble, the shot was was weak and the goalie got it easily.
If I allowed advantage, does it means that's it? He was given advantage to take a shot. Score or not, case closed?
Or should I call the play back because advantage did not materialized?
Man! if the push was in the box....!

Response: When you mention "...give him a push.", I'm going to assume that the defender was not making a shoulder to shoulder contact with the intent to challenge for the ball (ie. the defender has committed a foul under Law 12). Typically Ref's are advised not to rush the 'Advantage Call', typically count 1000-1 1000-2, and assess if the ball carrier maintained control. If not, a strong whistle to stop the play and signal a Direct Free Kick, and I know some Refs will even verbally comment "...no advantage gained, bring the ball back..." so the players understand why you delayed the whistle. If the 'foul' happenned in the box... same action except you would point to the spot instead of signalling a direct Free kick. So if you observed that the forward's shot was '...weak and the goalie got it easily.', then it's obvious no advantage was gained. However if the player took the shot within that 2 seconds and scored a 'weak goal' then advantage was realized. Recognize if you blew the Whistle immediately and the forward did score, the goal would have to be disallowed, then you will have a lot of conversation to deal with.

(Aug 24th) Question 34: I am the AR. A player takes a shot at goal and the ball goes into the net. An attacker is standing in an offside position and does not touch the ball. However from my position I cannot tell if the attacker is interfering with the goalkeepers line of sight. What is the correct wat to signal this? Do I put up the flag for offside and hope the referee knows I am signalling offside position only or do I keep the flag down and call the Ref over to discuss interference. Either way it is possible to get the ire of coachs and spectators.

Response: The Ref in the middle should have covered this of in your pre-game instructions. But if the Ref forgot, the general rule of thumb is to: run up field a quick 10 yards if you think the goal is good, or stand there if you feel the goal is in question. Hopefully the referee will know what you are doing and make a decision. In the event he does not, he can come or you can call him over to talk to you. You should only put up your flag if you know there was an offside.

(Aug 21st) Question 33: If a player arrives after the start of a game can the ref wave him onto the field during play or does he have to wait for a stoppage. The player's name and number are on the game sheet at the beginning of the game and the ref has been advised that a player is late.

Response: They may enter the field of play during play provided the their team: has less than 11 players; the game is still in the first half; if the game has qualified AR's that they have handed in their player card; and the Ref has given them permission. If the game has club AR's, the player must hand in the player card to the Ref at the next stoppage.

(Aug 21st) Question 32: In reference to question 31, Does the injured player have to wait for a stoppage in play before returning or can the ref wave him/her on during play.

Response: If they are off the field due to injury and provided play isn't right in front of them, they may re-enter with the referee's permission once play has restarted. They do not have to wait for another stoppage, but they must wait until play restarts.

(Aug 21st) Question 31: The Laws state that for a serious injury the referee stops the game and ensures that the injured player is removed from the field. The laws go on to say the player may only return after the game has restarted. If we call a coach onto the field to attend to an injured player does this player have to leave the field and the game restart even if the player is able to carry on? Is this league dependant as coach's are often called on at the young CMSA level.

Response: You are correct. According to the FIFA Laws of the Game, if the Ref calls for the coach to enter the field of play to tend to a player injured, that player must leave the field and may only re-enter after the play is restarted AND the Ref has given them permission (ie. if the play is not in the immediate are where the player is re-entering the field of play). To my knowledge, there are no suplementary rules published by CMSA or any other league that would govern otherwise. However it is well known that most Refs at the lower level games do not inforce this Law because let's face it, we all have to go to work, school, etc. the next day so we error on the side of caution and let common sense prevale.

(Aug 19th) Question 30: I understood that when signalling advantage you use both the arm signal and loud voice and then have 2-3 seconds to see if advantage materialises with the option of calling it back for the foul if it doesn't.
At the Hector Vergara seminar I believe Hector said that you wait till advantage has materialised and then signal advantage has been applied. The difference is that I understood Hector said that once you have signalled advantage you cannot now call it back because advantage has, by his definition, already happened.
There is a subtle but important difference between the two methods. Can you please confirm which way is correct?

Response: According to the FIFA Laws of the Game, both are correct. Ultimately these are the same decision making process. If you employ option A (ie. the action described first), then you have 2-3 seconds to "rescind" the advantage. In option B (ie. the action describe in the Hector Vergara Seminar), you have already taken the 2-3 seconds before you give any signal. If you wait 3 seconds and then call advantage, then Hector Vegara is correct that you cannot then call it back - your time window to do so has expired. In practice, most high level referees favour the second option only because it looks less sloppy. In option A, you are somewhat dramatically seen to be "changing your mind". Although this is still correct in Law, it can give the wrong impression. In option B, there is a delay, but you are not seen to make one decision and then another.

(Aug 18th) Question 29: Why doesn't the CDSRA design a coin that clearly indicates what side is heads and what side is tails?

Response: I don't mean to be sarcastic, but why does a coin need to be clearly "Heads or Tails"? Look at the Canadian currency coins: The Quarter has Queen Elizabeth II head on one side and a Elk Head on the other; The nichol has Queen Elizabeth II head on one side and a beaver on the other; The penny has Queen Elizabeth II head on one side and a couple maple leaves on the other; The Loonie has Queen Elizabeth II head on one side and a Loon on the other; The Toonie has Queen Elizabeth II head on one side and a Bear on the other. Traditionally we've come to treat the side with Queen Elizabeth II head as the 'head' side of the coin (I suspect because she is seen as the head of the commonwealth) and the other side as 'tails', no matter what is on the other side. Our coin is no different. The CDSRA Logo is our 'Head' and no matter what we put on the other side, it is 'Tails'. On a slight tangent to this topic, I've personally done away with having the teams call 'Heads or Tails' at the flip. I assign a coin side to each team (either by jersey color or the person on my left as the Logo) and advise there is no need to call. It gets rid of the debate of who should call and also has an added benefit demonstrating the ref is in control.

(Aug 14th) Question 28: In a GU18 match I had an odd incident which I'd like to share. Near the end of the first half it was 5 to nil and clearly the winning team was all over the losing team, though the losing team was still playing some good soccer. When the sixth goal went in the losing team's coach called all his players over to the sideline to give them a talk.
I finished up writing in my book, waved on a substitution and then in a loud voice called, "Come on Reds, let's go." The red players all ran quickly back to their position so very little time was lost.
At halftime one AR said "I couldn\'t believe the coach essentially called a time out. I was wondering how you would handle it?"
The other AR said he would have given the coach a warning and perhaps even ejected him from the field.
I was comfortable with my actions though I would certainly have reacted differently if the game was close or if I felt it had been a tactical ploy.
I was wondering if you have any suggestions?

Response: There are NO time outs in Soccer and there is nothing wrong here if there is nothing gained. If it is being done for tactical reasons (ie. in a game that is currently tied or a close diferencial in goals scored), then 1) The referee should be dealing with it long before he is done writing in his book. And 2) The coach can be cautioned, as could any player involved. Clearly you are not going to caution all of them (and I would suggest that the coach is the only one to get cautioned if anyone).

(Aug 14th) Question 27: I have been told two ways for the Ref to signal for an offside infringement.
One is to blow the whistle, indicate the direction of the kick and then raise the arm in the air indicating an indirect free kick.
The other is not to signal direction but to blow the whistle and just to raise the arm indicating an indirect free kick. Presumably the players will figure out what the call is for.
Can you please confirm which is correct?

Response: It depends on who you ask. In Canada this is actually a very regional thing. Eastern Canada maintains steadfastly that offiside requires a 2-part signal (indicate direction and then indicate indirect). Western Canada has traditionally gone in the other direction and decided on a 1-part signal (arm up only). Personally, I never signal direction on offside. I actually think it assists to clarify that it is offside and not a foul that is being called. Most cases the players know what you are calling, but in the odd case they don'tt you may wish to voice out that it is an Offside Call. FIFA would accept either method.

(Aug 14th) Question 26: I understand that an AR who signals for an infringement of the rules, e.g. a foul, should, if at all possible, raise the flag in the correct hand indicating which way the free kick should be taken. This gives the referee the information he needs to decide if the whistle should be blown.

However it seems to me that most, if not all, referess signal an offside with the flag in the right hand, when running the line in the normal right to right position. This seems a contradiction as the kick is going the other way?

Response: The right hand should ALWAYS be used to signal offside. The reasoning is that it allows a clear line of sight to the referee (ie. the AR is not trying to look through their own arm). An Offside Signal does not require a direction, only the indication of the Far Side of the Pitch, Middle of the Pitch, or Near Side of the Pitch (see page 92 of the FIFA Laws of the Game)

(Aug 11th) Question 25: When a club needs to re-schedule a game, it is up to the team to find a referee. Is there a central point of contact, email or phone number that a team can email/call to request a referee and by level, i.e. Premier Level 1 game?

Response: You are not alone. Every club has this concern. The only 'central point of contact' is the Calgary Soccer Federation (CSF) Scheduler, and her task each month is a huge workload, therefore she can not deal with individual CMSA clubs as well. And for privacy reasons, the Contact List of Referees registered with CSF/ASA, and their skill level, is kept confidential. I can't speak for all clubs, but each club should have a Referee Coordinator that works with the various Team Managers for scheduling fields and Referees. These Coordinators should have a list of Referees that can help out the club, and AR's can be recruited from their list of Youth Referees. I have also set aside a section on the CDSRA Home Page for Coordinators to advise their contact information. The other suggestion I have is to have your club recruit a Volunteer Parent that is a Referee to assist the Club Referee Coordinator. I personnally assist the Southwest United and Chinook Clubs to find qualified Referees. All Refs have access to the CSF contact list, their regular schedule and are asked to respect their colleague privacy when using it. If I know a Ref is available, and lives relatively close, I will ask them specifically then relay the information to the Ref Coordinator and/or Team Manager.

(Aug 2nd) Question 24: I understand that a team cannot score on itself from a restart. I was just wondering, hypothetically of course, if this applied to a penalty. Suppose the penalty taker hit the post and the ball rebounded with such force that it went back into the penalty taker's own net. Would this then be a corner kick to the opposition? It may seem a daft question but the laws do also say you can\'t score on yourself from a corner kick, which is almost just as daft.

Response: I here that comment come up at nearly every outdoor refresher I've attended. I also can't imagine a ball kicked from an opponents corner ending up in the net at the far end of the field. But you are correct, it is in the Laws of the Game. This rule equally applies to a penalty kick.

(July 10th) Question 23: Why we cant use terms like \'Mine\', \'My ball\' in the game? Can we use \'Let Go\'?

Response: Because it is viewed as an unsporting method of deceiving an opponnent. If an opponnent has their back to you and you yell "MINE", your opponnent may think it is their teammate that is calling them off and to let the ball go through. If this happens and the Ref notices it, you would be called. So it is a very good habit to 'put a name on the ball'. Yes, the same could happen if someone on the opposing team has the same name, but it is very unlikely you would know that and therefore you would not be intentionally trying to deceive.

(July 5th) Question 22: On an offside call at what point is a player considered to still be in his own half of the field. I had a very close call with a forward racing over the half way line and no defenders between him and the goal. As the ball was kicked the forward\'s body was completely in his own half but he had his front foot on the halfway line with the heel in his own half and the toe in the opponents half. I didn\'t flag it but later thought that I should have and was relieved there was no score. Can you please confirm if this should have been flagged?

Response: As with throw-ins, ball in or out of play, etc. the line is considered the 'buffer zone'. A player is considered to be in an offside position if any part of the body that can play the ball (ie. every body part excluding the arms and hands) is completely over the line. If the player's leading foot (ie. heel to toe) is touching the line, the player is in their own half, providing of course the head, shoulders, etc. are also on or behind the vertical plain that extends up from the center line. For a detailed explanation of Law 11, please view FIFA's Side Presentation

(July 5th) Question 22: is a player allowed to play with a cast on her brocken arm
- Response: Each league has a supplimentary regulation for what a player can and can not wear that is not specifically listed in the FIFA Laws of the Game. For example CMSA Team Official's Rules of Play Soccer 2008, Section IX - Game Equipment Pararaph H states "The wearing of rigid casts or splints, even though covered with foam or other protective paddingwill NOT be allowed.". CUSA and CWSA have similar statements that are published on their website.

(July 5th) Question 21: how old do you have to be a refferee.
- Response: The Alberta Soccer Association has raised the age for 'new Ref's' this year from age 12 to age 14. Those that took the entry level course and Ref'd last year at age 12, and are age 13 this year are permitted to Officiate U10 games.

(July 3rd) Question 20: What is the call if a goalkeeper mis-kicks a goal kick and the ball is rolling towards a forward outside the penalty area. To prevent the forward getting the ball the goalkeeper rushes after the ball and kicks it away before it has left the area. I had the kick re-taken but was not sure if I should have taken any action against the goal keeper. Was it perhaps a USB offence? If the keeper had kicked the ball outside the area then presumably it most certainly would have been an indirect free kick.
- Response: If the Keeper had waited til the ball was out of the area to touch the ball, this is a foul and is an indirect kick for the opponnent. However because the Keeper intentionally kicked the ball inside the area to prevent the opponent from getting the ball, the Keeper should be shown a Yellow Card for USB. You may also look at this as a delay to restart play. The restart then is the kick is retaken by the Keeper.

(July 3rd) Question 19: During kicks from the penalty mark, at the end of a game to decide a winner, one of the goalkeepers is injured and is replaced by a substitute from the bench. Does this new goalkeeper have to take his turn taking a penalty kick?

Response: If during the taking of penalty kicks to determine a winner in the match the keeper gets injured, he/she can be replaced with a substitute, providing the team has not used all eligible substitutes. The new keeper replaces the injured keeper and must be used in the rotation as far as taking kicks from the mark.

(July 2nd) Question 18: The ball is cleared down field to a teammate that is in an offside position. The teamate realizes he is in an offside position and the Ref notices that he makes no attempt to play the ball, and he promptly turns away from the path of the ball. A defender at the same time moves to the ball, heads the ball, which then goes over the end line. The AR raised his flag, and I signalled to put the flag down and awarded a corner kick. The AR motioned to come discuss the call. He claimed that the player being in an offside position caused the defender to react, therefore "...interfered with play.". What would have been the correct call?

Response: "Interfering with an opponent" has a very deliberately narrow definition in Law 11. Either the player must physically interfere (ie obstruct) or he must be blocking the line of sight of a defender (99% of the time this is "screening" the goalkeeper). It is 100% the responsibility of the defender to be aware that the attacker is offside and play accordingly. The attacker's mere presence is not sufficient to warrant being judged offside regardless of how the defender reacts to it.

(June 30th) Question 17: A forward is in an offside position when the goalkeeper kicks the ball out of his hands and down the field. While the ball is in the air the forward comes back into what looks like an onside position and challenges for the ball in the air with a player of the opposing team. As the AR when is the best time to flag. Should you:

1. Immediately flag when the offside player jumps for the ball with an opponent, although you do not know at this point who is going to head the ball?
2. Wait to see if the offside player interferes with his opponent who is
also jumping for the ball?
3. Wait to see if the opponent cleanly heads the ball and keep the flag
down if he does?
4. Only flag if the offside player actually heads the ball himself?

This type of play happens quite often and I'd like to flag it correctly especially as most people watching would wonder what the flag is for as the offside offence can occur quite a few seconds before it is flagged.

Response: This depends on the skill level of the players. At an AMSL or Pro level you would want to delay raising the flag until you see that either the player in the off side position interfered with the defender or made contact with the ball (ie. your option #2). For games lower than AMSL, you would need to have good communication with the Ref in the Middle as well as the Ref in the Middle needs to have good communication with the players. By your description, the player in the offside position challenging for the ball is interfering in the play. I would raise my flag immediately. Then the Ref in the middle has to decide to delay the whistle to see if the defender is successful in heading the ball to a teammate and, if so, clearly indicate to play on/advantage and signal to the AR to lower the flag. If the game is particularily a rough, the Ref in the middle may want to whistle immediately upon seeing the AR's flag to avoid a collision. Your 4th item is not an option. Law 11 describes Offside as: "..interfering with play."; "...Interfering with an opponent."; or "...gains advantage." while being in an offside position. The forward is still in an offside position even though the forward '...comes back....' after the ball was last played by a teammate.

(June27th) Question 16: This event occurred during a U12 game this week. A defending player purposely stuck an arm out to stop a ball heading into the goal. The ref (me) blew the whistle instictively due to the handball, but the ball deflects off the arm and into the goal within milliseconds of the whistle blowing... What should the correct call be? Should it be a goal and a red card as the defender stopped an apparent/obvious goal. This would have meant that the whistle indicated the foul and the awarded goal regardless if the ball would have gone in or not. Should it be a goal as the ball crossed the line, or should it be a disallowed goal and a PK as the whistle blew?

Response: This is a perfect example of a time when a Ref needs to count to two in his/her head before blowing the whistle and/or call advantage. Not doing so adds another problem for the Ref: MAN MANAGERMENT.

First let's deal with the events that transpired by the

FIFA Laws of the Game: The Ref stopped play by blowing the Whistle, therefore there is NO GOAL scored; The defending player is shown a RED card and dismissed from the Field of Play; The attacking Team is awarded a penalty kick; After the game the Ref would need to fill out a

Misconduct Report and submit it with the game sheets and the defending player's ID Card; and I suspect you will need to calm down the Coaches, players, and/or spectators afterwards, particularily if the player taking the penalty kick did not score (ie. practice your Man Management Skills).
Secondly let's deal what should have happenned. The referee made an error but cannot change the facts to suit the error. The play was stopped therefore it was stopped. The reason for the stoppage dictates the actions described above. What should have happened is that the referee allows play to continue, the ball goes in the net and a goal is awarded. The player is cautioned for USB (some would argue, leave well enough alone and don't caution). There is no red card because a goal was not denied.

(June 21st) Question 15: why are referees so mean in u 12?

Response: I'm not sure what qualifies in your point of view is "mean" and if you are concerned about all "referees" or some particular "referees". However if you feel that the referee has officiated your game unfairly, your coach can submit his or her comments using the back side of the game sheet. At U12, these comments should be submitted to your local Community League Office.

(June 3rd) Question 14: After reading your responses to other question and an earlier one I made I had another question. I was reading your comment on jewelery. In my last game of BU18 CompA, the goalie had a stud through his eyebrow. After reading your notes I was wondering whether he should have been asked to tape it or remove it. I did not see it until after the game but wondered whether a ball to that part of the head might have caused a split in the skin or more. Jewelry such as stud for guys ro girls must be an issue. Is it all covered under the term jewelry?

Response: Simple answer is YES. For all players in the CMSA League, and most other leagues, taping is no longer an option. Unfortunately time between games does not favor the Ref to check all the players, and often this item is missed. We are asked to enforce the FIFA, ASA, and league regulations. However if an incident occurs the Ref will be asked the question, but the persons ultimately responsible is the player and/or their teammates and they will be disapplined if required.

(June2nd) Question 13: There are 7 cautionable offences against players of which only 3 apply to substitutes or substituted players. However I note all 7 sending off offences apply to both players, substitutes and substituted players.
Here is my question: During the taking of a penalty kick a substitute warming up near the goal, runs to the post and reaches out and stops the ball going
into the net. It is a denail of an obvious goal scoring opportunity. Please confirm if the substitute can be red carded and dismissed for a DOGSO, even
though he is not a player on the field.
Am I correct that the restart would be an indirect free kick to the attacking team and the defending team continues to play at full strength?
- Response: The dismissal would be for " Denying an obvious goal". Yes, the player did come on the field without permission which would be noted in the Misconduct Report, but denying an obvious goal is the more serious offense. The restart you mentioned is correct if the offense happenned during the run of play at a free kick or corner kick. But it should NEVER EVER happen during a penalty kick. The referee must ensure that everything is in order before he/she would blow the whistle for a penalty kick to be taken. This includes making sure that the area behind and beside the goal area is cleared of any potential interference.

(June2nd) Question 12: Please advise, at a kick off, the re-start if a team-mate of the player kicking off runs forward over the line before the ball is kicked. Also what is the restart if a player on the opposing team moves over the centre line before the ball is kicked?

Response: In both cases, the whistle is blown to stop play, the players are advised to remain in their own halves until the ball is 'moved forward', and the kick-off is retaken. If the players does this repeatedly, the Ref may caution the player under Law 11 for 'delays the restart of play'.

(June 2nd) Question 11: I have had this situation twice this year and both times it has resulted in a goal. I believe the referees have not got the call correct. I do not argue as I accept the calls as made but wonder still. The question relates to offside. The attacking team has a player in an offside position and when they attempt to pass to that offside player the ball goes off of the body of a defender. In both situations the linesmand has signalled offside. The player has scored and the referees have stated that the ball has bounced off of a defending player and therefore the offside player can receive the ball. I was a referee and I reveiwed the FIFA site and they have the exact illustration and the statement FIFA makes is that \"you cannot get an advantage from an offside position when the ball is deflected off of either the goalie or a defender. Am I right? If I am, Is it possible to emaila reminder to referees. I coach U18 and as I have said I have had this twice already.

Response: The situation you describe is illustrated in the FIFA Laws of the Game, Guideline for Referees, Law 11, page 108. This situation is shown at every refreshercourse I've attended. This question and response, among others, will also be posted in the next CDSRA newsletter.

(May 29th) Question 10: In a recent game a referee told a plyer from both teams that they could not wear their glasses. After some discussion both were allowed to play but his understanding of the \"No Jewelry\" ruling meant everything except \"Medic Alert\" Bracelets. As a newer ref myself (2 years of certification)I said my understanding is that glasses can be worn. I understand their may be a safety issue here but is it fair to make parents put out the extra cost for sport glasses.
Please give me some clarification on this so as a coach and ref I can deal with this according to CMSA policy. Also if players must have sport glasses, or contacts (contacts may cause some safety issues as well)does this mean that as a ref I need sport glasses as well.
- Response: You won't find it in the CMSA Rules, because these rules are intended to be supplements to the ASA, and CSA which are inturn supplements to the FIFA Laws of the game. Therefore if it is not noted in the CMSA Rules, you fall back in that order.
  
  ASA has ruled on jewelery as follows:
  Iv) (2006) Jewelry and Non-compulsory Equipment
  a) (2006) In District and provincial competitions leading to national competitions, no player will be permitted to wear any jewelry, as outlined in the jewelry policy of the Canadian Soccer Association, with the exceptions that bandanas and sweatbands will be allowed for religious or medical reasons, and prescription eye glasses will be permitted.
  
  b) (2006) In all other competitions in Alberta, the wearing of jewelry by players will be permitted as long as it is taped to the satisfaction of the referee. This is not to be interpreted to mean that all jewelry is allowed provided that it is taped. The referee shall not allow anything to be worn by any player for any reason
  
  In Calgary, Rule IV(b) has been over riden and all jewelery must be removed before coming onto the field of play. In your circumstance, the Ref misinterpreted the intent of the 'jewelery policy'. '...perscription eye glasses will be permitted...'. In otherwards, sunglasses are NOT permitted.
  
  The above was quoted from ASARules and Regulations.2006

(May 29th) Question 9: Earlier tonight I was assigned to a U14Boys Comp A game (community assigned) where the game was scheduled on a field that not regulation size and was too small (distance between 18yrd box and sidelines was no more than 5 feet) plus there were a couple safety concerns with the field itself such as a fence that was within 2 feet of goal line and no clear lines painted on the field. Due to these numerous issues I had with the field, I told both coaches that I would not officiate the game as i did not feel the field provided was safe or met the standards for what a normal playing field should be. My question is, after I have left the field what are my responsibilites as the referee. Do I need to file a report or submit any paperwork and if so, where can I find these as I have searched the CMSA website and have been unable to find anything anywhere.

Response: The primary communication tool you have is the Game Sheet. You'll note the comment section at the bottom of the game sheet, some of which comment '(including Field Conditions)'. It would also probably be prudent to send the Community/Club an E-Mail and copy CMSA to get an official asessment of the field safety.

(May 21st) Question 8: What is OFFSIDE?

Response: A full explanation of OFFSIDE is describe in the FIFA Laws of the Game, Law 11. In brief, a player is offside if: the ball is last touched by a team mate; The player is in an OFFSIDE POSITION; and the player becomes actively involved in the play. 'actively involve' is defined as: playing/touching the ball; or interfering with an opponent gaining access to the ball. If the player does not attempt to make a play for the ball, but instead waits unitl either a teammate or an opponent to touch the ball, the player is NOT OFFSIDE. A player is in an OFFSIDE POSITION if: there are fewer than two (2) opponents between the player and the opponents goal; and the ball is NOT between the player and the goal. Note however that it is NOT AN OFFENCE to be in an OFFSIDE POSITION.

(May 21st) Question 7: How old must you be to be a referee?

Response: They've raised the age limit this year. New referee's in 2008 must be 14 years of age or older. Those that are 12 or 13 and passed the course last year are still elligible to Officiate games this year.

(May 8th) Question 6: I am refing my first game and the team is U10 tier C. How long should their halves be?

Response: Duration of games are listed in the CMSA Team Officials Supplemental Rules of Play Outdoor 2008. Refering to Section VI (page 11) U10 play two (2) 25min halves.

(May 8th) Question 5: is there a hand signal for offside for the ref if there are no assistant refs?

Response: This is more often the case that the exception. Even when you do have parent volunteer/club linesman, majority do not know how to signal an Offside. All they do is raise the flag. The Laws of the game only provide instruction with 4 officials, so the easy answer is NO, there is no hand signal for the ref for OFFSIDE. The majority of Refs just blow the whistle to stop play, posibly run to the spot, signal the direction of a free kick, if the players look confused as to why the play was stopped add the comment of OFFSIDE, and then signal an Indirect Kick.

(May 5th) Question 4: I reffed my first CUSA game the other day and right from the start there was the use of the "F" word on the field e.g. Pass THE F???ING Ball. This wasn't directed at anyone but was loud enough to bother me. I let the player know that I didn\'t want to hear that sort of language and and shouted that this applies to both teams. After a couple more warnings, and advising the teams that we had female and children spectators present, things settled down. My question is should I have cautioned the first player straight away. I didn\'t do this as I wondered that I may be giving out cautions throughout the game. Can you advise on the best way to handle this kind of language and how do the players react to either way? Obviously if all referees handled this the same way then players would get a consistent message.

Response: Law 12 states "...uses offensive or insulting or abbusive language and/or gestures". It does not say it has to be directed at anyone. Also every League has noted that inappropriate language is not acceptable not only because of the spectators that may be present, but a number of fields are located in residential neighborhoods. Remember that this is NOT a cautionable offence, it is a SENDING OFF offence under Law 12. But that is the 'letter of the law', whereas the practical 'man management' method you chose to handle this I suspect was the correct method. The RDC (Referee Development Committee) has published a guideline to assist Refs in dealing with this subject: Dealing with Offensive, Insulting, or Insulting and/or Abusive Language.

(May 5th) Question 3: When doing a double header by ones-self there is only 15 minutes between games. I find it virtually impossible to complete the paper work from the previous game and collect cards from both teams for the next game and start on time. What do you suggest and how do other refs handle this. Have CUSA considered having two 40 minutes halves for games with one official

Response: Quite often it is only 10 mins between games (ie. game will start at 6:30PM, two 45min halfs plus 5 min half time take you to 8:05, next game starts at 8:15PM). The way most Refs I have worked with 'handle this' is, but not limited to: to do some of the paperwork during the half time break (ie. print and/or sign your name etc.); have the paperwork organized so that it can be easiely filled out, torn apart, and combined with the player cards; File the paperwork from the first game and collect the paperwork for the next game; if the teams are tardy in getting you the paperwork, announce that your watch will start on time, but the kickoff won't happen until the cards and paperwork are handed in properly (ie. you'd be surprised how fast they can get organized when threatened shorter playing time). Both excercises should take 5 min or less. The other option is to advise both teams that the half will be shortened. later in the season, the teams will recognize the task you have and will do what they can to make your job easier. Those that don't, you can note it on the game sheet. If the league sees this as a habit, they will deal with the team. All you need to do is follow the instructions from the league.

(May 5th) Question 2: U14 Tier II assistant referees: what calls do the refs want parent volunteer linespeople to make? i.e. ball out of play,throw-in offence, offside. Re: offside - do you want the linesman to signal an offside position, regardless of whether or not there is a penalty?

Response: There is no clear cut answer for this one. The Ref assigned to the game must assess the skill level/knowledge of the both club linesman and decide what role they they will play. It would be nice if the club lineman processed the skill levels required to signal Offsides, Fouls, etc. (ie. the club linesman is a Qualified Ref or has taken/passed the Linesman's Course). But often that is not the case. However the Ref should discuss expectations with both club linesman before the game starts and be in good eye contact so that the three can work as a team. That instruction could be '...do your best to signal when the ball is out of touch and give me a direction' to '...help me with Offsides, Fouls, etc.'.Regardless of their skill level/knowledge of the game, a linesman can not: award a 'penalty shot'; issue a card; or just stop play for a foul. Only the Ref can do that. The Ref may ask for the Linesman's viewpoint/opinion, but it is the Ref's decission to make.

(April 29th) Question 1: if you give a caution is there any penalty like loss of man to the team?

Response: The first caution a player receives is a warning. The second caution the player receives in the same match is a dismissal offence under Law 12 and the team plays short for the remainder of the game. If that same play receives three (3) cautions in the sameseason, the league may suspend the player for a pre-determined number of games, however the team can play full strength during that suspension.