Question Number: 25040

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/31/2011

RE: AYSO All-Star Under 13

Mike of Chino Hills, CA USA asks...

In a U12 girls game, a close shot on goal was blocked by a defender's hand in the goal area. I was close to play, but must have been out of position, as my view of the contact became obstructed by other attackers in the area. It was a close game, and I could hear the sideline & players protesting a 'hand ball'. I looked over at both my ARs, but no signal, so I allowed play to continue. At the half, I asked my ARs if they had seen what happened. The lead AR said that some parents crossed right in front of him at that moment, and obstructed his view. The trail AR said that he saw the defender move her arm away from her side, and then quickly retract it after the shot was blocked with her hand. He considered the motion deliberate handling, and he determined that I had not seen the contact, but felt he was too far away from play to make that call. So I have a few questions 1) should my trail AR wave his flag given that he was at the halfway line, and handling can be subjective; and 2) should the contact be judged as deliberate if the defender moved her arms slightly away from her body as she moves toward the ball? From the AR's description, it did not sound like the arms were raised to an unnatural position, though they did move towards the ball. The contact was made at hip level. I guess I would have to see it for myself to be sure, which brings me back to the first question. Lastly, 3) should I have just stopped play to confer with both ARs based on the reaction of the sideline & players; restarting with a dropped ball if needed? Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

My first thought is - how does a parent cross in front of an AR? Where was the AR standing for that to happen?

As for your specific questions:-
1)In exceptional cases the trailing AR can certainly offer his input. There are no rules on where they can offer an opinion - the role of the assistants is to, well, assist! If he's 100% certain that he saw something significant which he's 100% certain you missed, then he should get your attention and inform you.

In Australia our top-tier professional competition had that situation in the grand final a few years ago. A defender deliberatey handled the ball in the penalty area, but the referee missed it. The trailing AR informed the referee, but the referee unfortunately did not follow through with the required action. At this level it's a bit easier to communicate as they were wearing radio headsets, but the principle remains.

2)Arms beside the body, and moving out, is typically known as widening the body to block a ball. It's a great way of making a deliberate handling look accidental. Of course, you should consider factors such as the age and skill of the players, whether she had a view of the ball, and how far away the shot was, and how fast it was coming. By your AR's description it sounds like the player misjudged the trajectory of the ball as she approached it - this would be sufficient to declare the handling deliberate, and the arms moving away from the body are a good indication that she's moved her arms into the path of the ball. You simply need to consider whether you could reasonably have expected her to avoid handling the ball or not.

3)There should be no reason to stop play. As the referee, it's important to instruct the assistants on what to do in a variety of situations before the match. If I was refereeing in a situation you described, then I would look across to my lead AR. Failing an input from him, I may then turn to look at my trailing AR. This should be enough of an indication that I'm seeking help, and my prematch instructions should cover what to do when I'm clearly seeking help - ie, signal if there's a foul. Of course, if you have less experienced officials then that's something you'll have to consider, but I would wait until the ball goes out of play to discuss it with my assistants.

The reaction of the players and spectators means nothing - I've seen lots of people scream until they were blue in the face about a supposed deliberate handling when the ball clearly hit the thigh or stomach next to the arm.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Thank you for your question and your detailed description of the situation.
1. To be credible I don't believe an AR from 50 yards can make such a call with perhaps the ref some 10 yards away and the lead AR some 20/25 yards. We have all been in these situations and my reaction is that it is a matter for the CR and the lead AR. There is nothing to prevent the trail AR helping to make the call just that it is not accepted procedure and a credible sell. I would only ask the trail assistant in the pre match discussion to intervene on unseen VC that has been missed. A few seasons ago I was AR in a game and both the lead AR and CR saw the ball strike a player's hand. Neither was sure that it was deliberate yet I some 50 yards away believed that it was. It was not called as a penalty and probably both argeed in the post match discussion that it could have been. The CR does not need a flag from the trail AR in this situation.
2. Moving the arm away from the side as described is most definitely deliberate handling. While the arm is in a natural position the player has made herself bigger through her action. She could also have moved the arm out of the way of the ball which is also a reason why it is deliberate. Clearly a ball blasted at short range striking the arm with no time for reaction is not deliberate.
3. If the offence has not been flagged by the AR and the referee has not seen the incident play should not be stopped. If the referee stops play it will be perceived that the handling has been seen and that the decision not to award is then a change of mind. If the AR has seen the incident and the CR looks across for assistance then the flag goes up or not depending on the call. That is the discussion there in that process.
I might add that incidents such as this happen in every game. Calls are missed which is part of the game and in the half time/ post match discussions, opinions can be given as to what should or might have been given.
In this situation I believe the correct procedure was followed. The learning points however are the referee's positioning to give a different angle of view and the AR's view being obstructed. The trail AR's handling of the situation IMO was correct as he is advised I assume to make calls in his vicinity not 50 yards away except on unseen VC.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 25075

See Question: 27531