Question Number: 14820

Character, Attitude and Control 2/10/2007

RE: Rec, Select, High School

Dave Arnett of Vancouver, WA USA asks...

At the kick-off, I often see the kicker and a teammate approach the ball. The teammate stands straddling the half-way line near the ball, with one foot in each half. The kicker taps the ball to the teammate's foot in the attacking half, and the teammate then plays the ball himself or to other members of his team.

I only see this in other officals' games, because I don't signal for the kick unless all players are on their own side of the half-way line. In other words, I require the straddling teammate to move back before the kick.

This straddling-stance kick off seems to be accepted at many levels of play. For an example at the professional level, see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdxvfwKxIME

Am I out of sync with the evolving game by requiring the teammate of the kicker to move out of his line-straddling stance?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

It is picky, but it IS correct. I do the same thing. In your half Bubba, then we go.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yep, these referees choose to ignore this and perceive it as trivial. Mr. Fleischer, you, and myself ask them to get on their own half. That is correct per the Laws.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

H Dave,
as a little thing it can be, a one time correction with a thank you, two time arched eyebrow trifle, a series of acceptable doubtfuls or an excuse to be lazy!

Being by the book or over officious can create or foster resentment! Yet a competant professional attitude and a simple request can make one look sharp and foster respect.

It is within the character or nature of each official to permit the lax or suggest a step back if supplied with a back bone, compassion and a realization of what makes the beautiful game beautiful.

Professional refereeing labours under a pressure of expectations that for the most part are unimaginable to the community referee! The enormus ramifications on such things as match results and players careers and fans adoration of their chosen club made suspect by any intervention percieved as fair or unfair of the man/women in the middle!

The referee must know when and where and how to excersise his or her authority in a manner that will not undercut his or her overall management on the match or lose face with those who assign them to that match. Setting the bar early here, if we are going to act it must be done to NOT embarass the player or create a mini spectacle.

If you address the fact the law REQUIRES everyone within their own half at the start of play remember fastidiousness and poor foul recognition are possibly the two worst traits a referee can tandem up in front of the players. It is not the point of setting the standard which will ultimately create the atmposhere of the match it is in the way we keep it!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I also make them all be in their own half of the field

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I also require players to be standing in their half. Note that the line itself is in both halves.

I don't think we'll see a change in the Laws that defines "touching your half" to be "in your half". I expect we might sometime see a change that drops the requirement that the kickoff go forward, which eliminates the need for straddling the line.