Question Number: 29785

Law 5 - The Referee 10/6/2015

RE: Competitive\Academy Under 10

Daniel S. of Carrollton, TX USA asks...

I was refereeing an Under 10 Girls game and the play quickly turned in my direction at which point I sprinted backward about a yard to get out of the area the play was advancing toward. In doing so I had knocked a player that was behind me from her feet to the ground. I was unsure who was at fault for this collision but felt that I had most likely interfered with the play and restricted the player from advancing to involve herself into the play. I stopped play and restarted with a drop ball after the player on the ground got back to her feet. My thinking at the time was this is how I would handle a situation where there was outside interference in a game. There was no outside interference maybe just a clumsy referee at the time or maybe the player was not watching where she was gong but I could not be sure either way. So my question is should I have let play continue on or was I right to stop and restart with a drop ball?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Daniel,

Strictly speaking the referee is an object like the goalpost, so when there's a collision with a player you wouldn't normally stop play.

Having said that, at this age in particular there's quite a valid concern about a potential injury when such a young player collides with somebody much bigger, so that would really be your only reason for stopping play here.

On a side note, try to avoid running backwards. That's not just because of potential collision to players (and injury to them), it's also potential injury to yourself. Even the risk of falling over due to a dip on the ground and missing play is one best avoided, so if anything try to turn side on to make your run. In young ages like this in particular players are often in unpredictable positions, may not have the awareness to look out for the referee (sometimes they even hide behind the referee!), or won't be able to withxstand a collision.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Daniel,,
unpredictable movement does at times catch us off guard. While a referee is ...TECHNICALLY.. a neutral dirt clod, it still smacks of necessity to stop for a possible injury. So a drop ball for a FIFA restart is acceptable! A possible INDFK if USA high school for the team with ball possession. Allowing an outside person to have contact with a player on the field and not immediately dealing with it is likely a bad idea although application of advantage might delay things a moment. If a player did run into you as the referee or AR or vice verse as long as you or him were not hurt apologize and get back to the play. If you have time you can extend a hand to pull him up. You certainly do not have to stop play but if it creates an opposition scoring opportunity or goal you best be prepared for more than a gentle ribbing.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I always tried to avoid going backwards in U-little games, because you almost never knew when the players might get in your way. And they squish when you fall on them.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Daniel
I would also have stopped play due to the potential for an injury and the fact that you may also have been distracted by the incident.
If the player got up and play continued then there is no need to stop play.