Recent content by rayb

Thanks so much for your comments. It was never defined to me that there should be a higher threshold in the penalty box but if it's taught by ref trainers where you are then that's good enough for me. It was always my gut feeling anyway so the confirmation of this definitely increases my...

Hello all, I ref adult games in Australia and would like to know how you handle decisions for "soft penalties" I know the LOTG states it shouldn't make a difference where the foul is but in reality for a game defining decision I need to make %100 sure that it's a foul. The fact that players...

I also got this answer wrong and wondered why a YC would be given. I then read this for Law 12 "Cautions for USB" handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack I tried to find a definition for SPA like there is for DOGSO (ie the 4 considerations for DOGSO to come into affect)...

Yes, I see what you mean. I suppose that term "Interfering with play" (stated in the LOTG) as a player lunges for the ball might be interpreted differently.

It seems people are arguing if there was any IMPACT by the opposition / keeper or if the ball was going into the goal regardless. I was in the "Goal should stand" camp (barring the far defender of course) until I imagined this incident happening 30 meters from the goal. If there was a line of...

Thanks @one I think that giving a warning in this situation would be the common sense thing to do as the player had INTENT to distract opponent and play was NOT impacted.. My initial question was what to do when there was NO intent by the attacker but play WAS impacted (eg a "mine shout" by an...

Thanks for you Reply @Anubis. I know it was a basic event but just wanted some clarification from someone more experienced. It's good to know that this type of tackle can go either way depending on a lot of factors - I'll worry less about any similar decisions I make then :)

Being the devil's advocate and I believe was also mentioned somewhere in this post - but isn't there some scope in law 12.2 ". . . or other verbal offences" to just award an IFK. Yes, I know the history of how that statement got there and that it implies it has to do with descent to officials...

This is a very interesting topic as I am acutely aware of the different styles or approaches a ref can decide to take. Do you focus more on common sense approach and let context and other non-tangible factors into the "Foul / Caution equation" or do you ref more to the letter of the law. Is it...

Can I get some opinions on a this foul in the game please. It occurs at the 3:40 min mark in the video below and I see this sort of thing happening at the local levels as well and would like some advice if I may. Black comes in quite forcefully in front of white who is running fast with the...

I'm getting the impression being a ref is mostly about black and white laws but sometimes there is room for context. Thanks for your insights and advice.

Point taken @one. Use a wholistic approach by taking in all factors. I suppose this is a good rule of thumb for other offences as well providing no LOTG rules are broken.

Haha. That's a great story and funnily enough that exactly what I used to say when I used to play - "Mine, John" when in this situation because, in the heat of the moment, I could never remember my team mates name and they were all "John" to me when I wanted the ball. Can you clarify this...

Ahh. OK. I didn't realise that and then yes, a misunderstanding has occurred on my part. I've only observed the "They can't say MINE" response in Aus which, amongst other similar situations, a perceived deception / distraction has also occurred which is why I said what I said. Thanks for the...

Yes, I hear what you are saying @GraemeS but isn't when the aggrieved player shouting angry at you "He can't say mine", isn't he just expressing the unfairness in the fact that the opponents now have the ball because of what he sees as deception. He just shouts out what he believes the rules to...