Looking for suggestions/clarification

[QuaverRef]

Still new to all this refereeing lark, so just looking for clarification on a few decisions/situations!

My first Saturday game after doing a couple of Sunday games and all went well, game played in good spirit although tempers did start to rise after the team at the top of the league threw away a 3-0 advantage! I also managed to get my first caution of my career out of the way, luckily the player on the receiving end shook my hand straight away saying 'fair enough'.

Anyway, there was a situation where a player goes down in the opposition box after a clash of heads and the ball is cleared up field. I stopped the play for a head injury and give a drop ball. Upon dropping the ball, the keeper picks it up and punts it back to the opposition keeper. I wasn't fussed as whether he picked it up or not, he was returning it to the opposition so I just played on, but are goal keepers allowed to just pick it up from a drop ball?

On Sunday, I did my first game as an assistant referee! In the second half, the blue team had a shot which the keeper tipped onto the post, 2 other strikers followed in (both onside when the shot was played) and one tapped it in making the game 2-1 to the blues. The keeper came steamrolling over to me saying they were offside. I pointed out the situation as above and his words were 'I made the save, that means its a new phase of play'. My response was 'If anything, that clarifies my decision' and my wording probably angered him a bit more. I call their captain over who takes him away. Now, would you have even given him the time of day? or do you feel that I dealt with that appropriately? The referee at the time was dealing with a bit of handbags in the center of the field

 

[Charlie Jones]

in the first scenario you explained - I wouldn't be too fussed on what happened, but if it was a contested drop then I don't think he can?

in the second scenario - I wouldn't be giving the keeper the time of day personally, I simple 'no it wasn't keeper' would do - depending if he came over to me or not though - id probably explain a bit better if he came to me - but then that sparks another though as if he charged across to me in anger I wouldn't talk to him and would also be getting the ref to put him in the book

 

[zarathustra]

Depends how far away you were when the keeper came over to you.

If you were fairly close then as per Charlies reply above. If id already started making my way back up field after the goal, id probably be contemplating a caution for dissent, but it would depend on how the game had been going so far, and whether the keeper had been annoying me all game.

But, sounds like you handled both situations well.

 

[WilliamD]

Dropped ball scenario is interesting. I can't think of anything in law saying he can't pick it up - unless it comes back to him from a teammate. The ball is in play as soon as it hits the ground (unless touched on the way) so it's fair game in the box.

Though it does pose an interesting scenario in a contested DB in the box where the keeper could just pounce. I doubt anyone can find in law where it says this can't happen.

Second scenario - depends on the mood of the match. The keeper could clearly benefit from a bit of education on the offside rule and if you two can discuss it reasonable - why not. If he's just shouting at you run back up the line and/or call the ref for a C2.

 

[Yampy]

Anyway, there was a situation where a player goes down in the opposition box after a clash of heads and the ball is cleared up field. I stopped the play for a head injury and give a drop ball. Upon dropping the ball, the keeper picks it up and punts it back to the opposition keeper. I wasn't fussed as whether he picked it up or not, he was returning it to the opposition so I just played on, but are goal keepers allowed to just pick it up from a drop ball?

It might be worth considering how you manage this situation to avoid an incident happening. You've correctly stopped play for the head injury and the restart of a dropped ball is correct however, you also state that the ball is cleared up field. In the future it might be worth dropping the ball in a more neutral area of the FOP for example, where the ball was when you blew your whistle. It's not necessarily the point where the head injury occurred. A dropped ball nearer the middle of the pitch will be less contentious than a dropped ball in the penalty area. What happens if an opposition attacker decided to contest the dropped ball? Remember the LOTG prevents the referee from deciding who may contest a dropped ball or manufacture its outcome.

 

[Charlie Jones]

are we saying @Yampy that a keeper is in his rights to pick the ball up from a DB situation? (provided of course he is in the area)

 

[JamesL]

are we saying @Yampy that a keeper is in his rights to pick the ball up from a DB situation? (provided of course he is in the area)

yeh I think so

Any number of players may contest a dropped ball including the goal keeper. Im not sure it says anywhere that he cant pick it up.

I have on many an occasion stopped play with ball in keepers hands to have an injury assessed. In those occasions without manufacturing the situation dropped the ball for the keeper and allowed him to pick it up - basically resuming from where we stopped play.

 

[Charlie Jones]

Thanks for that @James Long

 

[QuaverRef]

It might be worth considering how you manage this situation to avoid an incident happening. You've correctly stopped play for the head injury and the restart of a dropped ball is correct however, you also state that the ball is cleared up field. In the future it might be worth dropping the ball in a more neutral area of the FOP for example, where the ball was when you blew your whistle. It's not necessarily the point where the head injury occurred. A dropped ball nearer the middle of the pitch will be less contentious than a dropped ball in the penalty area. What happens if an opposition attacker decided to contest the dropped ball? Remember the LOTG prevents the referee from deciding who may contest a dropped ball or manufacture its outcome.

To be honest, I took no notice of where the ball was at the time. It was simply the defender putting his foot through it and it went higher than it did long. My eyes were glued to the player who went to the ground so it would have been hard to judge where the ball was to end up without delaying the whistle. Very true about the attacker contesting for it though, although it shows no sportsmanship they are perfectly within their rights to do so.

 

[Yampy]

are we saying @Yampy that a keeper is in his rights to pick the ball up from a DB situation? (provided of course he is in the area)

Yes @Charlie Jones.
LOTG says the ball is in play when it touches the ground and any number of players may contest a dropped ball (including the goalkeepers); the referee cannot decide who may contest the dropped ball. So, given that the dropped ball has taken place in the GK's own penalty area, he can pick it up.
However, that's not the point I was trying to make above which was more about managing the dropped ball in an area of the FOP which is more neutral than the penalty area. The OP reads as though the ball was cleared up field therefore, I was suggesting the referee could use this fact to state the ball was in midfield when he blew the whistle for the injury and that's where play will be restarted from not from where the injury took place.
Going back to the dropped ball in the penalty area, what would you do if an attacker contested said dropped ball? You can't tell him he can't so you just get on with it and drop the ball. The ball touches the ground (in play) and the GK dives on it as the defender takes a kick at the ball. Playing in a dangerous manner? Against whom? Or Ball enters the goal having touched two players, what do you do next? As I say, try and manage it to avoid this scenario IMO.

 

[OIREF!]

It might be worth considering how you manage this situation to avoid an incident happening. You've correctly stopped play for the head injury and the restart of a dropped ball is correct however, you also state that the ball is cleared up field. In the future it might be worth dropping the ball in a more neutral area of the FOP for example, where the ball was when you blew your whistle. It's not necessarily the point where the head injury occurred. A dropped ball nearer the middle of the pitch will be less contentious than a dropped ball in the penalty area. What happens if an opposition attacker decided to contest the dropped ball? Remember the LOTG prevents the referee from deciding who may contest a dropped ball or manufacture its outcome.

Strictly speaking you take the drop ball from the position of the ball when you stopped play so if it already been cleared down the field that is where you should have dropped it. It's also good advice to try and avoid a drop ball in the penalty area for the reasons Yampy has stated. If I'm stopping play when the keeper has the ball in his hands I'll be shouting for him to kick it before I blow the whistle although it usually just attracts a confused look!!

 

[Yampy]

Any number of players may contest a dropped ball including the goal keeper. Im not sure it says anywhere that he cant pick it up.

LOTG talks about touches with regards to a dropped ball, not kicks or other specific actions. My assumption is he can use hands provided he is in his own penalty area when he does so.

 

[GraemeS]

Yes @Charlie Jones.
LOTG says the ball is in play when it touches the ground and any number of players may contest a dropped ball (including the goalkeepers); the referee cannot decide who may contest the dropped ball. So, given that the dropped ball has taken place in the GK's own penalty area, he can pick it up.
However, that's not the point I was trying to make above which was more about managing the dropped ball in an area of the FOP which is more neutral than the penalty area. The OP reads as though the ball was cleared up field therefore, I was suggesting the referee could use this fact to state the ball was in midfield when he blew the whistle for the injury and that's where play will be restarted from not from where the injury took place.
Going back to the dropped ball in the penalty area, what would you do if an attacker contested said dropped ball? You can't tell him he can't so you just get on with it and drop the ball. The ball touches the ground (in play) and the GK dives on it as the defender takes a kick at the ball. Playing in a dangerous manner? Against whom? Or Ball enters the goal having touched two players, what do you do next? As I say, try and manage it to avoid this scenario IMO.

Drop the ball in the area having explained to the attacker that if he goes for it with his boot at any point when the keepers hands are near, it'll be dangerous play, IDFK to the defending team and probably a caution too? If that doesn't put him off contesting it, it at least gives you an excuse to avoid having to allow a messy goal and accusations of an unfair drop!

New law doesn't allow you to forbid anyone from contesting - but it doesn't invalidate any other part, including teh dangerous play bits.

 

[Yampy]

Drop the ball in the area having explained to the attacker that if he goes for it with his boot at any point when the keepers hands are near, it'll be dangerous play, IDFK to the defending team and probably a caution too?

Be careful on that one. The law says "the referee cannot decide who may contest a dropped ball or its outcome".
Besides, could it not be claimed that the GK is PIADM, too?
Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself ) and includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.

 

[Charlie Jones]

I would say @Yampy is right there ... its a drop ball - the keeper is purposely going down to get the ball in order to prevent the attacker kicking it through fear of injury to the keeper ... IDFK to the attacking team in the area? and yellow to the keeper?

 

[OIREF!]

Be careful on that one. The law says "the referee cannot decide who may contest a dropped ball or its outcome".

I agree, we're told time and again at our RA meetings not to stage manage a dropped ball situation.

 

[Yampy]

Thanks @Charlie Jones but it all comes down to my earlier advice - avoid the dropped ball in the penalty area if you can.

 

[Mewcenary]

Got to admit, I've performed a dropped ball in the penalty area for the 'keeper many a time following an injury situation, and not once has an opposition player attempted to challenge for it.

Only advice I would give is to ask the keeper to wait for you to get upfield before he/she punts it...

 

[Yampy]

Got to admit, I've performed a dropped ball in the penalty area for the 'keeper many a time following an injury situation, and not once has an opposition player attempted to challenge for it.

Only advice I would give is to ask the keeper to wait for you to get upfield before he/she punts it...

And by the time you get there, the opposition are already asking "How long is he taking, Ref!?"

 

[Ganajin]

I would say @Yampy is right there ... its a drop ball - the keeper is purposely going down to get the ball in order to prevent the attacker kicking it through fear of injury to the keeper ... IDFK to the attacking team in the area? and yellow to the keeper?

Why should it be? Would you consider it PIADM when the keeper dives down and catches a ball at a forward's feet in normal play? Would you card a keeper for it? And since a dropped ball is considered in normal play as soon as it hits the ground the keeper has the same right.