Question Number: 28070

Law 5 - The Referee 12/18/2013

RE: competetive Under 19

Georgios of Boston, Mass USA asks...

I have watched many games when the referee always re-starts the game at any stoppage with the blow of the whistle.
When is a requirement for the referee to blow the whistle for a re-start .
i know at least 4
1 at kick off
2 at pk
3 at ceremonial restart .
4 after an injury
and 5 maybe after a caution .
can you please advise.
thanks

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

A whistle is required under TLOG:
Start of the match
Start of the second half or any overtime periods
Kick off after a goal
Penalty Kick
After a Substitution
After an injury
After Issuing/Showing a Card
Ceremonial free kick (to enforce distance)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Georgios
Referee Wickham has outlined the requirement under the Laws of the Game.
I would also point out that it can be helpful, although not required in Law, to signal a restart for any other minor delays such as removing an outside agent from the field of play, lengthy ball retrieval/change etc particularly when players have been distracted from the game.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I saw a younger ref doing a u-little game on a field adjacent to mine. Every restart he'd say 'Wait for the whistle' and then immediately thereafter would tweet it. Total overkill. Admittedly this was probably before the 'Use of Whistle' section was added to the Laws.

Using the whistle too much is like the boy who cried Wolf - the players get inured to the sound and don't pay attention. Save it for the important times - which are listed above.