3 games in & im not convinced..

[santa sangria]

Whilst it was a tongue in cheek comment it was meant to question why you would award to the attacking team when unsure which way. Surely, safe refereeing, is to go defensive in these scenarios... meaning less chance of a KMI resulting directly from you potentially getting a decision wron

We are getting a bit off topic... but I really try to avoid this kind of outcome-related decision making. Forgetting the score is part of that, and trying to call what you see. Favouring the defence...? Personally my mind can't handle that as I think it would prejudice my decisions. I know you only mean it in very rare circumstances... but this is similar to simultaneous fouls... I think you have to make a decision if you have seen an offence or offences. There is always a chance you have missed something... but you have to stick your neck out.

 

[Kes]

Nope.
Not for me.
A throw in is simply a means of getting the ball back into play. A corner is an attacking opportunity near the opponents goal which is more likely to result in a goal being scored directly from it.
The right/wrong issue is neither here nor there since only the two players involved in the challenge for the ball for the throw in can really know for sure if the lino doesn't.
Semantics are fine but in grass roots football, the above rule of thumb (not followed by me every time I have to admit) has worked well for me during the last 6 years. If we ask "what if" every time we took to the field, there'd be no time for the football ...

 

[JamesL]

Nope.
Not for me.
A throw in is simply a means of getting the ball back into play. A corner is an attacking opportunity near the opponents goal which is more likely to result in a goal being scored directly from it.
The right/wrong issue is neither here nor there since only the two players involved in the challenge for the ball for the throw in can really know for sure if the lino doesn't.
Semantics are fine but in grass roots football, the above rule of thumb (not followed by me every time I have to admit) has worked well for me during the last 6 years. If we ask "what if" every time we took to the field, there'd be no time for the football ...

But thats what the delap comment was about. If they happen to have a long throw specialist it then becomes an attacking opportunity. Avoided by going defensive. By doing that we dont have to ask what if they have long throw specialiat. It becomes a non issue.
A throw in an attacking area is much more an attacking opportunity than in a defensive area.

 

[JamesL]

We are getting a bit off topic... but I really try to avoid this kind of outcome-related decision making. Forgetting the score is part of that, and trying to call what you see. Favouring the defence...? Personally my mind can't handle that as I think it would prejudice my decisions. I know you only mean it in very rare circumstances... but this is similar to simultaneous fouls... I think you have to make a decision if you have seen an offence or offences. There is always a chance you have missed something... but you have to stick your neck out.

But of you truly dont know, which can happen, it helps to have a strategy in place to manage that situation.
All good an well sticking your neck out but if you dont know you dont know and if you're not ready for that eventuality how are you ever going to sell it.
I've said before now, and its worked, Im not sure so we'll go throw in to defence.
As kes says above it really is just a means to putting the ball back in play but for me.its an opportunity to manage the game and avoid situations that you've possibly influenced with an incorrect, guess.

 

[Kes]

But thats what the delap comment was about. If they happen to have a long throw specialist it then becomes an attacking opportunity. Avoided by going defensive. By doing that we dont have to ask what if they have long throw specialiat. It becomes a non issue.
A throw in an attacking area is much more an attacking opportunity than in a defensive area.

If you think about it a little less blinkered James, I'm sure you'll get it mate.

 

[RefJef]

Whilst it was a tongue in cheek comment it was meant to question why you would award to the attacking team when unsure which way. Surely, safe refereeing, is to go defensive in these scenarios... meaning less chance of a KMI resulting directly from you potentially getting a decision wron

I'm with @JamesL on this one.

Will always give an unsure decision to the defending team, whether goal kick v corner or a throw.

To the OP - once I'd established this principle in my head, it really helped my game. Much less indecision from me - when I genuinely don't know what happened (and, often, no one else is completely sure) I don't sweat it: defending team ball. One less thing to think about, decision made, lets get on with game, players respect that.

Addendum: I don't think it really matters if you always go with the attacking or defending team on throws, just as long as you are consistent. When you genuinely don't know, you've got to do something!

 

[santa sangria]

I'm with @JamesL on this one.

Will always give an unsure decision to the defending team, whether goal kick v corner or a throw.

To the OP - once I'd established this principle in my head, it really helped my game. Much less indecision from me - when I genuinely don't know what happened (and, often, no one else is completely sure) I don't sweat it: defending team ball. One less thing to think about, decision made, lets get on with game, players respect that.

Addendum: I don't think it really matters if you always go with the attacking or defending team on throws, just as long as you are consistent. When you genuinely don't know, you've got to do something!

Apologies to the OP for the OT...

Is this a CAR thing @RefJef @JamesL ? I don't have CARs ever. In 120+ matches in the last year (footy, futsal, ref, AR, only about 15 of those on my own in the middle) I am thinking there have been about 3 occasions when I/we have had no idea, no clues, and had to take a punt. And my point is it hardly ever happens... and on those three occasions, the last thing I am thinking about is going defence first. I/we are going to make a best guess.

Is it that you have to second guess so much when you have CARs?

(Of course, favouring/protecting the GK is a little different, as is making e.g. debatable penalty calls with little contact...)

 

[Ciley Myrus]

When it kinda obv I have went defensive, say a gk/ck situation, anyone starts to grumble, I say "look, I would do the same at the other end of the pitch too"

 

[jofusref]

there are bound to be timexs when you havent a clue, always favour the defense with the decision, law 18 common sense

 

[markref]

This reminds me of a comment I've heard on several occasions - "you always give the 50:50 decisions to them!" Obviously the concept that they don't consider any decisions given in their favour could be 50:50 escapes them.

In my experience club assistants often have other things on their mind, and don't always think to watch who touches the ball last. When watching games I often see them coaching the defence to move up rather than watching the play, even when the ball is near their touchline.
Lining well is a definite skill and it's hard to imagine that a player with no real idea of the LOTG but who really wants to be on the pitch not on the line is going to do the best job. Some are very good and some are very bad. Some down-right cheat - I have reported Club Assistants for this on games I've observed.
I had one shout "he was f***ing offside!" at me at high volume when I over-ruled him because the player blatantly wasn't interfering. He wasn't on the line for very long after that. I don't want to find out how good / bad a club assistant is by letting him ruin a game I can do as well without him anyway.

If I genuinely haven't a clue then I'll always go with the way that is likely to cause me less grief - typically the defence - but it's not often I really don't have any idea.

 

[RustyRef]

If you aren't sure then defensive is the only way to go. I openly tell the players that I'm doing it and they are generally fine with it. If someone complains I've given a goal kick when they want a corner then I'll say something like "wasn't sure mate, went defensive, I'll do the same in your penalty area". More often than not that gets a fair enough ref back.