Question Number: 12341

3/11/2006

RE: All USSF Sancioned

Herb Bresler of Bexley, Ohio USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 12298

I am confused by your answer in light of the 2005 Edition of Advice to Referees on The Laws of The Game. Section 13.6 Ball in Play, states, in part, "Stepping on top of the ball or merely tapping the ball with the foot does not constitute kicking." The entire section 13.6 seems to exist solely to emphasize this point.
I have searched the USSF web site, but can find nothing to contradict the 2005 ATROTLOTG. Can you point me to a specific USSF official document or otherwise explain this apparent contradiction?
Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Jim Allen in a question on his website posted after the ATR came out said tapping the ball is considered movement. the question had to do with a corner kick but I emailed him for clarification and he said it applied to all free kicks. I believe the question was posted in october. Jim's site is official for US referees. You can visit it at www.drix.net/jim

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Herb,
confusion exists simply because those in authourity change their minds on occassion as to what constitutes a ball kicked and moved into play.

As you may recall the old way of the circumfrence was supplanted by kicked and moved.

Many thought that any contact with the foot on a ball MUST cause it to move if but a wobble and thus that ball could be in play.

I think it was debated in countries and associations as to what constituted a kick .

It was quickly realized that there were varying opinions as to how much movement and whether ANY foot contact was in fact a kick.

I know that Mr Allen is an official spokesperson for the USSF and he confers with his bosses before posting any answer. The ATR is updated as the information put forth by FIFA and the IFAB decisions are handed down to be implemented.

It matters not what part of the foot is used to kick the ball with it simply MUST fit the referee's opinion of discernable kick and subsequent movement.
In my opinion if a referee feels the contact with the foot caused sufficent movement to indicate CLEARLY the ball moved FORWARD when required in PKs and kick offs or in any direction with other restarts I see no real substance issue.

I think those who feel the ball must roll to another spot have been pressing their case and who knows perhaps a new interpretation will be forth coming!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

Welcome to the world of changing interpretations of the law as Ref Dawson highlights. My guideline is pretty much in alignment with Dawson's, if I see the foot contact the ball and discern movement (and in those necessary cases forward movement) then the ball is in play. All the best,

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Ah, kicked and moved. What a glorious exercise in frustration. We sit and think about how much energy it takes to move something that weighs 410-450 grams.

The referee must see the foot move in a manner that looks like a kicking motion. The ball moves! The ball is in play...

For those prone to over thinking this is something for discussion, well how much did it move. Bovine feces, the sucker moved when he kicked it, end of story...

Regards,