Recent content by Russell Jones

A new offside phase starts every time the ball is played or touched by an attacking player

If you genuinely believe that he has deliberately moved his arm toward the ball (post 15) then of course this should be given. If, however, you believe what you say in your first sentence above, then you absolutely can’t give this as handball in accordance with the laws. It is a fundamental...

My experiences are similar to yours James. I firmly believe that officials from the very top to the very bottom of our game have now been offered suitable and appropriate tools to keep Player Behaviour in check. Whilst the use of all of them is (like most of refereeing) an acquired skill, the...

There's often, with good reason, nervousness and distrust as to whether high profile PGMO led initiatives will in fact 'stick' or whether they will be briefly implemented and then quietly forgotten about. As such, the now two season long clampdown on Obvious Dissent and Delaying the Restart is...

As others have said, the 'offside' goal is, ultimately, legitimate. What's frustrating (for me) is that so much of the discussion has centred on the defender's deliberate play, which, in what can often be a very murky world of Deliberate vs Deflection, is about as Deliberate as we will ever...

I'm a referee tutor in Hertfordshire (may even have taken your course!) and also run the promotion scheme. Feel free to DM me with any questions :)

Obviously players and spectators want whatever is best for 'their' team in that particular situation and will change to the alternative point of view if the situation is reversed ... :rolleyes: :)

I believe the most up to date RPP promotion pack specifies 25 adult games (21+) for 6-5. Many of the criteria change from season to season, so could be you were sent / are working off an old booklet? If you can get in some more adult games before the next deadline (end Apr) then it may be that...

No job at Bletchley for you David … 😀

A 'light touch', 'minimal intervention' VAR is certainly (IMO) better than the lengthy delay, overly forensic approach. However, it exacerbates the issue where 'sub-optimal' subjective on field decisions get "confirmed" by VAR leading to (even more) outrage that the "correct" decision wasn't...

If not, I can sort you out .. unfortunately I have little use for my old cards now I’m working as an AR :hmmm:

I'm a bit the same. These type of situations, not long left on the clock, team winning, are exactly the ones where GKs historically pushed their luck, leading to the 8 second introduction. In this case, the GK didn't help himself by 'flopping' to the ground unnecessarily having made the save...

I’d also suggest ensuring that said 11 year old signs up for a New Referee course at the first allowable opportunity ….. 🤔😀

Think the reality is that because the option of a quick FK should still be available to the attacking team, a defensive player taking action which denies this opportunity is DTR - clear, deliberate and impactful. Trying to predict whether a quick FK might theoretically have led to an OGSO is...

1) Lead the award of GK/CK up to the near post. Be credible to do so by being on / near to the goal line 2) Let referee lead the GK/CK choice beyond your far post 3) Monitor that the ball is overhanging the 6 yard line at the first few goal kicks and likewise ensure that at GK punts, the ball...