Question Number: 27790

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/20/2013

RE: Under 13

Scott Worthing of Huntington Beach, ca usa asks...

Hi. I ref mostly at U10 and U12 levels.

Occasionally, I have to whistle for an attacker coming in too hard and trying to kick a ball that the goalie has already controlled. Similarly, every once in a while, an attacking player will try to block a goalie's punt.

My issue is this: The 'penalty' for these fouls actually works to the advantage of the offending team. After the whistle, the goalie has to kick the ball off the ground rather than punt it. At this age level, they would certainly prefer to punt.

Sometimes I see a referee in this situation who whistles the foul, then allows the punt anyway. This seems more fair, but of course, is not correct procedure.

Any suggestions on how to handle these situations?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

As you say, whistling the foul and then allowing the punt is not an option. A punt is not a legal restart. Punts can only happen when the ball is already in play.

You could elect to play advantage - but they don't often understand that at U10 or U12. They know you're not stopping play, so they think you didn't call the foul. Beside, sometimes you want to stop play so you have a chance to express your extreme displeasure with the player threatening the goalkeeper.

Our rec league has partially solved this - we define the goal area and penalty area to be the same size at U10 and below. This allows the free kick to be taken at the '18' (more like 12) - the same place the punt could go.

Other than that, there's really no way to get around it. I've often said, 'Sorry keeper, but I blew the whistle. You have to take the kick on the ground.'

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Scott,

This is a valid concern at these lower ages, but it's something we're stuck with. If you whistle for the foul then it must be a free kick - and you're right that you need to whistle for the foul to 'send the message' and prevent it happening in the future.

The best advice I can offer is to ensure you're talking to the players to ensure they don't do it again.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
Once the referee signals for a foul the restart is a free kick.
At underage the referee could play 'advantage' if the goalkeeper has the ball in his hands and then elect to stop the game if he was of the opinion that the goalkeeper / player may have been injured. During that stoppage the referee can speak with the goalkeeper and with the offender about the incident.
The restart can go back to the original foul or be a dropped ball which can be 'uncontested' if properly managed allowing the GK to pick the ball up with his hands.
If the ball is out of the goalkeeper's hands then the advantage option is not available.

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

See Question: 27802