Question Number: 18691

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 4/5/2008

RE: Competitive Under 12

David Ogrin of New Braunfels, Texas USA asks...

Corner Kick.

I had one today that was the first time I have seen it. In a U11 competitve boys match a corner kick was awarded. The young man hustled over, set the ball down quickly, and played a short ball. Except he placed the ball 12-18 inches outside the corner arc. I am the AR and this happened literally at my feet and the young man played before I could correct him.

I raised my flag. There was a moment and I called the referee over to tell him it was an improper corner kick. The referee signaled to restart with a corner kick. This in accordance with the last line of Law 17. Of course the attacking team scored on the proper corner kick.

This prompted a spirited debate at half time amongst the referees in the referee tent. Our senior referee, sombody panelist Maloney would know, suggested it was a lousy call because only I saw it. Another senior referee added it was a lousy call because of the spirit of the game. Another referee cited Law 18, common sense.

I countered that a referee just does not have any room to ignore the LOTG as once pointed out to me in this forum. I feel better knowing they scored from a proper corner kick than an improper one.

I was just curious how all this flies with senior worldly wisdom.

Thanks.

David

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The lines are there for reasons, and if the players obviously do not observe them the restart has not been properly taken. We must call it back to do it right. Would anyone object to a kickoff being retaken if the ball was placed a foot into the opponent's half?

That said, we do still have the concept of trifling. Usually that is applied to fouls - the action qualifies as a push or trip, but the effect is so little that it isn't called. We also apply it to most free kick restarts, not needing the ball to be placed on the exact blade of grass where the foul occurred. Those who pointed out Law 18 and common sense to you were obviously thinking of this concept. "Lousy" wouldn't be a word I'd use to another referee, though.

It seems to me that the first kick taken from outside the arc was possibly intended to be put into play quickly, so as to try to catch the opponents unawares. I saw a team hurrying to place a ball for a goal kick, and the player tossed it out in front of herself and then made as if she was going to kick it. I called out to her, "It has to be stopped." And got an "aw, crap" look in return, but they positioned it and played it correctly.

The fact that your corner kick was short meant the player didn't capitalize on his attempted gamesmanship. If you couldn't say anything and couldn't get your flag up just as the kick was taken, perhaps it was best to let him live with the poor kick.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

You and the referee are out there to enforce the Laws of the Game. You did and you took a load of sierra from a "senior referee". I'm sure he got to where he is by enforcing the Laws of the Game. Now he wants you to ignore them. Next time you see this "senior referee" ask him to compile a list of the Laws you are supposed to ignore so he'll be happy with you.

He's going to look at you funny so be prepared with something like this: "You've already established I'm to dismiss part of Law 17. I'm just asking for you to enumerate all the other things we have to ignore to become a "senior referee".

He's not going to like being spoken to like that, but so what -- he's the one telling us all you did poorly by enforcing the Law as written. Let him put his reputation where his mouth is!

Let him wonder why the International FA Board wrote the Laws the way they did...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi David. There is no law 18 and I wish referees that should know better would stop referring to it. What's common sense to one is sheer idiocy to another. You did as required by both the spirit and letter of the Law. It was an improper corner kick. You raised your flag. Good for you. The "senior" referee probably wants you to ignore other breeches of the Law he deems beneath him to follow. Stick to your guns.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Restart locations are big deals when they are within scoring range. A recent you call it segment had several people arguing about mere inches for an indfk restart that could ONLY occur inside the penalty area. The keeper used his hands inside his area on a ball that was deliberately kicked to him by a team mate. The opponent set the ball just outside the area and restarted from there instead of inside the area where the actual infringement occurred. Now we know that an exact blade of grass restart is not always called for but the lines of the penalty area are there for a reason just as are the arc lines. Several photos in the law books are dedicated to showing just where a ball can or can not be accordingly.
Yes we can overlook these indiscretions and they may not truly create any fuss or bother if there was no real gamesmanship in catching the opponents out or when being assessed. Just because we could get away with not worrying about a foot or so players will respond with taking advantage of everything you allow. Eventually such an act will not be quite so trifling
Faster response could come from paying closer attention, Not there please, could stop the improper kick but players will do what they will sometimes difficult to catch them out immediately.
AS you can gather we think you did fine we also think the senior referees who use the word lousy needs to address the pregame responsibilities they place with the AR . AR his corner of the woods his word goes , a referee at the top of arc not going to see it as well as he will!
Cheers