The Ref Stop

asked for wall

pankaye

pankaye

Well-Known Member
Level 5 Referee
Recently, I refereed a game (U15) where I awarded a free kick 5 yards outside the box, near the "D." It took the attackers about 10 seconds to place the ball, and they were ready. I got into position, and as I blew the whistle, the defenders started saying, "Ref, we want a wall." However, they were all scattered about and werent even trying to form a wall.

just to be clear for this

1. whistled for free kick
2. Got to the spot
3. made sure the ball was placed correctly,
4. told attackers to wait for the whistle
5 i looked up there was no wall so I went got into position
6. then blew the whistle,
7. defenders then asked for wall

This led to a back-and-forth exchange:
Me: "I don’t see a wall."
Defenders: "You need to tell us where."
Me: "But you haven’t formed a wall."
Defenders: "You haven’t told us where."

And so on. This eventually led to some dissent.

I have always allowed quick free kicks unless I’ve interfered in some way (e.g., I have pulled a defender out of position, or I’ve slowed the restart to manage an injury), or the attackers have asked for the wall to be managed. At the first opportunity I get in a game, if defenders ask for a wall, I say loudly for everyone to hear:
"Guys, if you want a wall, first form it, then I will march it out, because if the attackers take it quick, I ain’t stopping them."
I operate with the philosophy that, in any free kick resulting from a foul, the attacking team should not be disadvantaged since they are the ones who have been unfairly fouled.

What are your thoughts on this? is this contrary to what most people do? what does football expect (as IFAB puts it)
 
The Ref Stop
I think you're correct in that it's the responsibility of the defensive team to form a wall which you can then move in to the correct position, so to speak, and in most football players won't ask you for a wall, they'll just stand there until they're moved.

With that said, at u15s if a team asks for a wall, you've nothing to gain by telling them what we've just said, and you'd probably be best advised to just humour them and hold up the free kick and count out the 10 and tell them that's where they need to be. It looks like you've ended up with dissent you could have avoided by appeasing them. (Unless of course this is a deliberate tactic to delay the game, that's a different kettle of fish entirely)
 
Personally I'm not allowing quick free kicks that close to the area. I'm managing the scene.

As soon as I blow I'm on my way to the spot I expect the kick to be taken from. If it's 5 yds from the penalty area I've never not had want a wall and I'm prepared to walk it from the spot I've indicated. (Also to add, I march out the 10 yards to the near post so I can keep most of the players in my line of site. Top tip picked up on here!)
 
i think if you haven't allowed a quick/immediate free kick (and it sounds like you haven't) the expectation from everyone is that the defensive team will form a wall.

don't try and be too clever - prompt the defensive team and ask if they want a wall, if they say no then you can go, otherwise wait.
 
Viridis1886 said:
Personally I'm not allowing quick free kicks that close to the area. I'm managing the scene.

As soon as I blow I'm on my way to the spot I expect the kick to be taken from. If it's 5 yds from the penalty area I've never not had want a wall and I'm prepared to walk it from the spot I've indicated. (Also to add, I march out the 10 yards to the near post so I can keep most of the players in my line of site. Top tip picked up on here!)
Click to expand...
think it's unfair on the attacking team to not permit them at all. if all is set and the right process follows then allow it
 
TBF to you, it's the defending team's responsibility to ask for a wall 🧱 I never ask them....
I do hold whistle up to indicate to wait and to ensure keeper is set - by then he/she will be calling for a wall if they want one.
 
cooperd5 said:
TBF to you, it's the defending team's responsibility to ask for a wall 🧱 I never ask them....
I do hold whistle up to indicate to wait and to ensure keeper is set - by then he/she will be calling for a wall if they want one.
Click to expand...
It's no one's responsibility.

The defending, also known as the offending, team don't get to request anything, they are the offenders and so are not entitled to any advantages

It's either a quick free kick or taken when the referee is ready. This might involve marking out the 10yd distance from the offence location and allowing the defending team to form a wall.
 
pankaye said:
Recently, I refereed a game (U15) where I awarded a free kick 5 yards outside the box, near the "D." It took the attackers about 10 seconds to place the ball, and they were ready. I got into position, and as I blew the whistle, the defenders started saying, "Ref, we want a wall." However, they were all scattered about and werent even trying to form a wall.

just to be clear for this

1. whistled for free kick
2. Got to the spot
3. made sure the ball was placed correctly,
4. told attackers to wait for the whistle
5 i looked up there was no wall so I went got into position
6. then blew the whistle,
7. defenders then asked for wall

This led to a back-and-forth exchange:
Me: "I don’t see a wall."
Defenders: "You need to tell us where."
Me: "But you haven’t formed a wall."
Defenders: "You haven’t told us where."

And so on. This eventually led to some dissent.

I have always allowed quick free kicks unless I’ve interfered in some way (e.g., I have pulled a defender out of position, or I’ve slowed the restart to manage an injury), or the attackers have asked for the wall to be managed. At the first opportunity I get in a game, if defenders ask for a wall, I say loudly for everyone to hear:
"Guys, if you want a wall, first form it, then I will march it out, because if the attackers take it quick, I ain’t stopping them."
I operate with the philosophy that, in any free kick resulting from a foul, the attacking team should not be disadvantaged since they are the ones who have been unfairly fouled.

What are your thoughts on this? is this contrary to what most people do? what does football expect (as IFAB puts it)
Click to expand...
Neither defenders nor the attackers are entitled to ask for a wall. The defenders are entitled to form a wall and you only grant them enough time to do it if you see the need for a 'ceremonial free kick'.

I think where you went wrong with your process is at step 4. Why did you ask the attackers to wait for the whistle? If the defenders are not giving any indication that they want a Ceremonial FK and the attackers are setting up to take it, quick or at their own pace, there is no need for you to intervene.

So your step 5 should have been step 4. That is, after or just beore ball placement assess if a CFK is needed, then ask to wait for whistle. If not needed proceed as you would like any free kick restart without a whistle.
 
one said:
Neither defenders nor the attackers are entitled to ask for a wall. The defenders are entitled to form a wall and you only grant them enough time to do it if you see the need for a 'ceremonial free kick'.

I think where you went wrong with your process is at step 4. Why did you ask the attackers to wait for the whistle? If the defenders are not giving any indication that they want a Ceremonial FK and the attackers are setting up to take it, quick or at their own pace, there is no need for you to intervene.

So your step 5 should have been step 4. That is, after or just beore ball placement assess if a CFK is needed, then ask to wait for whistle. If not needed proceed as you would like any free kick restart without a whistle.
Click to expand...
I see wha what you mean. At step 4 i onlt addressed verbally told the attackers. i did not raise the whistle to everyone. iwas expecting a wall. however when i looked up the defenders werent really trying to form a wall so I thought they didnt want a want a wall (not for the first time that game, I put it down to their age and naïveté) hence why i got inot positom and blew the whistle.
 
You blew the whistle to restart and then they start debating about wanting a wall? Why did the attackers not just start playing?
 
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