The Ref Stop

Player asking if his keeper can pick up the ball from a potential backpass

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FC555

New Member
Youth football, U15s. Pretty sure I know the answer but wanted to double check.

Ball is played through, defender tries to boot it seemingly straight up in the air but sort of kicks it with his shin, ball then bobbles over to his goalkeeper.

I have no intention of even considering this as a pass to his keeper, but the keeper seems unsure whether to pick it up, his teammates are asking me if he can, the opposition are shouting to say he can't pick it up.

I said I'm sorry but I can't advise on these situations on the go as it can be seen as helping one of the teams.

Just want to make sure this is correct? I didn't really want to just ignore the question of whether he can pick it up or not as I tend to communicate with the players as much as I can within reason. Kind of makes me wonder, if we shout something like 'arms down' or 'steady on', I guess that's in a sense advising a player to not commit an offence. Not sure how this stands up as a comparison?
 
The Ref Stop
Oh I see! I had this wrong then. I could just envision if this happened in an adults game and I said yes, I'd expect the other team to start whinging that I'm assisting the other side
 
FC555 said:
Oh I see! I had this wrong then. I could just envision if this happened in an adults game and I said yes, I'd expect the other team to start whinging that I'm assisting the other side
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Players can't be sure of your interpretation of certain things so it's a good thing that they ask rather then assume.
The same way for instance, if you award a free kick and the attacking player asks you "Can I go quickly Ref?" ;)

In the scenario you describe above, even if not being asked by the players, I'd most likely be shouting "that's not a backpass" nice and clear. :)
 
I'll agree and disagree with @Kes here. I think there is every chance if you shout 'that's not a backpass' or especially so 'he can pick it up' when NOT ASKED you leave yourself open to allegations of trying to help / coach the team... however, if asked, no problem with answering the question! You're just answering their question.
 
RefereeX said:
I'll agree and disagree with @Kes here. I think there is every chance if you shout 'that's not a backpass' or especially so 'he can pick it up' when NOT ASKED you leave yourself open to allegations of trying to help / coach the team... however, if asked, no problem with answering the question! You're just answering their question.
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I was referring to the specifics of the situation described by the OP (where he has one team asking but also the other team claiming). Like you, if there is no question or claim to answer to the players, I'd keep my gob shut. ;)
 
Kes said:
In the scenario you describe above, even if not being asked by the players, I'd most likely be shouting "that's not a backpass" nice and clear. :)
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Kes said:
I was referring to the specifics of the situation described by the OP (where he has one team asking but also the other team claiming). Like you, if there is no question or claim to answer to the players, I'd keep my gob shut. ;)
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This is what confused me Sir. Could you please be clearer in future? :redcard:
 
RefereeX said:
I'll agree and disagree with @Kes here. I think there is every chance if you shout 'that's not a backpass' or especially so 'he can pick it up' when NOT ASKED you leave yourself open to allegations of trying to help / coach the team... however, if asked, no problem with answering the question! You're just answering their question.
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I agree with this, though kes has clarified his intent.

However, in general, though I don't voluntarily say 'you can touch it' without being asked, I would shout 'you can't touch it' without being asked when there is doubt. Much easier to manage the opponents saying I am coaching them than the defenders after I give a FK in front of goal.

It's not too dissimilar to telling/shouting at a defender to be carful in a challenge in the PA if you feel they are close to giving a penalty away.
 
Similarly, if you were an AR, would you tell a player in an offside position ... "be careful" or something like that?
 
NOVARef said:
Similarly, if you were an AR, would you tell a player in an offside position ... "be careful" or something like that?
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It depends.
The point of 'referee instructions' is to manage the game. Managing the game could mean different things but that's another discussion point.
For offside, at a set piece, I do have a chat (as a referee) with a player who is deliberately standing in an offside position because it helps me with my game management. But not in general play as i don't believe it is helpful. Or at least it does more damage than it does good. I would expect my AR to follow the same.
 
one said:
It depends.
The point of 'referee instructions' is to manage the game. Managing the game could mean different things but that's another discussion point.
For offside, at a set piece, I do have a chat (as a referee) with a player who is deliberately standing in an offside position because it helps me with my game management. But not in general play as i don't believe it is helpful. Or at least it does more damage than it does good. I would expect my AR to follow the same.
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I agree.
 
Think about it logically, if someone asks you if the keeper can pick it up, you refuse to answer then penalise as soon as he touched it with his hands. You'd be at risk of looking like a traffic warden , lurking around in case someone does park their car in the wrong place so you can give a ticket. Just answer them, there's nothing to say you can't or shouldn't. If the opposition make anything of it just tell them that you would also respond if their team asked.

I don't see a problem in proactively telling them at younger age groups, even if not asked, but I'd be wary of doing that at open age, and certainly not at senior levels. There's an unwritten expectation that referees can coach players in the laws at younger ages, but the older they get the less this would be accepted.
 
When they are that young and still quite unsure of the LOTG then I don't see why you can't tell them.
 
Almost the exact same situation today while
Being observed. Player attempts to clear the ball, but miskicks it back to keeper and keeper picks it up. Obviously the claim for a backpass, but I waved it away.

In your case at an u15 match and a question is put to you, by all means advise them that they can pick it up. It’s helpful for them to learn and it also helps with your authority over the match.
 
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