Question Number: 22399

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 10/31/2009

RE: Travel Under 13

Paul of Holtsville, NY USA asks...

Can a referee start the clock for the second half of a match despite the team(s) taking the field? In a sanctioned league match, the ref whistled for the coaches to send their teams out, and started the clock. In our discussion after the match, he claimed that he could not start play without at least 7 players on the field ready to play, but he could start the clock. The teams lost about 2-3 minutes of game time. Is this correct? Protestable? Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

In a match played under the laws of the game, time begins when the ball is kicked and moves forward.

Many leagues, however, are more concerned about matches starting and on time to meet their tight schedules (more games than fields). They encourage the referees to get the game restarted on time. Your referee is not alone in using this technique and I doubt that the league would order the match replayed because the teams were tardy in being ready to start the second half. Absent a league rule that provides for starting the clock before the kickoff (or otherwise ending the match within x minutes before the next scheduled match), however, it was not the correct procedure.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Guess what will be the response next time out when the referee whistles both teams out
Now clearly this has to be a competition rule as it is not part of the laws of the game. As Referee Wickham states time begins when the ball is put into play. I would suspect as well that this referee knew his laws when he mentioned 7 players and knew his competition rules to make the timing claim.
My advice is to move on, take it as a lesson in time management.
The only concern I would have with this approach to timing is that if one team wanted to play a shorter 2nd half they could delay coming out and what does the ref do then? But maybe that is covered in the local rule?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

While my colleagues have presented a possible explanation, it could also be that this is simply a creative referee, making it up as he goes. Please note the tactics in your coach report to the league.