Date:         Thu, 12 Jan 2006 08:52:25 -0500
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
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Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
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From:         ront <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Subject: Re: Enforcing 10 yards
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<<<Date:    Wed, 11 Jan 2006 09:04:59 -0500
From:    Jim Gordon <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Enforcing 10 yards

The comment was made:
> ... in a game ... where players are supposed to KNOW
> that they must be back or quickly moving in that direction
> and they aren't AND the kicker is looking at them and
> waiting for me to do something,  I usually use a wave
> of the hand and voice like 'green, back up'.

Too late and not enough.  What was the rest of the defense doing while the
one defender was blocking the FK?
The term Free Kick is supposed to mean "free", not delayed or blocked or
hindered or limited.>>>

***RT COMMENT: read again. I did not say that  one defender was blocking the 
FK by standing in front of the ball. I SAID that the defenders weren't 
moving back when or as quickly as they should.  as a example, they are 
slowly setting up 6m back, whatever.  ***

There was a further comment
> ... u13 premier level game ... a foul against red ... .
> As red starts to retreat, the COACH begins screaming at
> one of his players to 'get in front of the ball and
> make him move you back'.  ... THIS specific instance
> resulted in a whistle to stop everything for sure;
> an 'educational experience'

A missed opportunity.  I wouldn't have whistled immediately, although I
WOULD eventually have held up this restart.  I'd have told the coach, "If
that player moves too close, you're going to get your second caution."
(First for USB -- not behaving in a responsible manner and interfering in
the game; Second also for USB -- inciting player to commit an infraction;
The send-off might stick when he appealed, although I admit it could be
argued that it was all one offense.)  The defender would benefit from the
explanation to everyone at the field that, as was written,

**RT COMMENT:  A missed opportunity?  I think not.. Rather, an opportunity 
nicely and quickly taken advantage of without 'making a scene'. Being in 
front of the benches, BOTH coaches heard my instruction as did all players 
on the benches and in the area of the FK.  Nothing more needed.

someone ELSE had the question about plastic, the the usual 'you can't card 
coaches' was trotted out, incorrectly.  In ALL leagues that I referee in, 
coaches CAN be carded.  However, in this instance, I chose not to as it 
wasn't necessary. point made, 'education' provided, end of the story.

ront

> ... one of the biggest 'myths of the game'
> is that 'they have to ask for their 10' ...

Ten yards IS a right, and FRD IS misconduct (if it's intentional, IMO).

***RT COMMENT and on this one jim and I agree!  but it is STILL a common 
misconception among players and youth coaches that 'they have to ask for 
it'.  And as an aside, the professional leagues, where every free kick 
results in a half dozen defenders standing in front of the ball while 
arguing with the referee,  provide HORRIBLE examples for the kids to 
follow.***

ront