The Ref Stop

Blowing whistle on free kicks

newref

Active Member
Hi guys. Just stuck on this one a little. On the referees guide it says that you dont always need to blow a whistle when re-starting a free kick. So which free kicks do we definitely need to blow the whistle to re-start play from that free-kick? And which free-kicks do we definitely NOT blow the whistle to re-start play from the free-kick.
 
The Ref Stop
A good rule of thumb to use is proximity to goal. If it's close enough for a shot or there's a likelihood of a goalscoring chance (maybe there's a wall been constructed?) then use the whistle. (I always tell the players it's "on my whistle please"). If the free kick is inside the team's own half, there's little point in blowing for it.

There's no exact science behind it mate. Generally, unless it's a shot on goal as above, and all players have had time to take up their positions it's not necessary to signal with the whistle. You'll get a feel for it as you do more matches . :)
 
A good rule of thumb to use is proximity to goal. If it's close enough for a shot or there's a likelihood of a goalscoring chance (maybe there's a wall been constructed?) then use the whistle. (I always tell the players it's "on my whistle please"). If the free kick is inside the team's own half, there's little point in blowing for it.

There's no exact science behind it mate. Generally, unless it's a shot on goal as above, and all players have had time to take up their positions it's not necessary to signal with the whistle. You'll get a feel for it as you do more matches . :)
I can see where you are coming from but there is a very big IF there for me. If the team which the offence is against (and were disadvantaged by the offence) want to take the free kick quickly, you don't disadvantage them even more by forcing them to wait for the whistle. But agree that there is not exact since.

You must always go on the whistle if you are issuing a card or there is an injury treatment before the free kick. Also if you want to have a chat with a player or players, you should ask to wait for the whistle.
 
What about as soon as a goal has been scored? We don't need a whistle there but what about the signal? Do you just point your hand towards the centre mark to signal a goal has been scored or is there no signal required?
 
What about as soon as a goal has been scored? We don't need a whistle there but what about the signal? Do you just point your hand towards the centre mark to signal a goal has been scored or is there no signal required?
Pointing towards the centre circle is generally accepted as correct
The whistle is only needed to indicate ball over the line, in tight calls
 
I can see where you are coming from but there is a very big IF there for me. If the team which the offence is against (and were disadvantaged by the offence) want to take the free kick quickly, you don't disadvantage them even more by forcing them to wait for the whistle. But agree that there is not exact since.

(You're doing this deliberately aren't you? :eek: :D )

You must always go on the whistle if you are issuing a card or there is an injury treatment before the free kick. Also if you want to have a chat with a player or players, you should ask to wait for the whistle.

That's a different subject mate and one we've batted out on here before. FWIW, my rule of thumb regarding quick free kicks is that if it's within shooting distance, I'm going "ceremonial" ie waiting for the wall, on the whistle etc. Why make life difficult for yourself? ;)
 
And to get the gormless one to kick the ball in the centre circle because he can't move before the whistle.
 
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What about if a goal has been scored in the last few seconds of injury time at the end of the match. Can you blow for the full time whistle immediately after the goal has been scored or must play be re-started from the centre mark before blowing for the fulltime whistle?
 
What about after a goal has been scored in injury time at the end of the match. Can you blow for the full time whistle immediately after the goal has been scored or must play be re-started from the centre mark before blowing for the fulltime whistle?

Not sure what the LOTG say mate (probably no mention of it) without looking it up but for me, you're asking for trouble if you end the match on a goal scored (especially if it's the winning one!! :eek: ).

I'd always at least do the match the courtesy of a restart, even if it's only for 10 seconds before blowing up. ;)
 
Another top about the final whistle - if the balls been hoofed off the pitch for a goal kick or throw, wait for someone to collect it, take the goal kick/throw etc before you blow, otherwise no one will fetch the ball.

Perhaps not your problem at full time, but home team manager will thank you, perhaps more pertinent at half time, that way you’ve got the ball back ready for the start of the second half.
 
Not sure what the LOTG say mate (probably no mention of it) without looking it up but for me, you're asking for trouble if you end the match on a goal scored (especially if it's the winning one!! :eek: ).

I'd always at least do the match the courtesy of a restart, even if it's only for 10 seconds before blowing up. ;)
Yes, that's exactly what happened in my first game. The time was up, the ball was in the attacking 3rd and I decided to allow that last attack to go ahead and a goal was scored, but like you said the situation demanded a restart to avoid any trouble and that's what I did.
 
Another top about the final whistle - if the balls been hoofed off the pitch for a goal kick or throw, wait for someone to collect it, take the goal kick/throw etc before you blow, otherwise no one will fetch the ball.

Perhaps not your problem at full time, but home team manager will thank you, perhaps more pertinent at half time, that way you’ve got the ball back ready for the start of the second half.
That's actually a very handy tip :)
 
What about if a goal has been scored in the last few seconds of injury time at the end of the match. Can you blow for the full time whistle immediately after the goal has been scored or must play be re-started from the centre mark before blowing for the fulltime whistle?

Old advice was to have the KO, both to not look like time had expired before the goal was scored and to ensure opportunity to solve any problems (i.e. an AR telling you a reason the goal could not stand)--as it used to be that you could not change a decision after blowing for full time.

Tweaks in practice about time keeping (with added time being more visible) and in the laws (can change a decision if haven't left the field) makes that a bit obsolete. IMHO, the key is not to rush it--make sure you make eye contact with ARs (if you have them), be sure there is nothing that you need to address before, and go ahead and call it. YMMV.
 
A good rule of thumb to use is proximity to goal. If it's close enough for a shot or there's a likelihood of a goalscoring chance (maybe there's a wall been constructed?) then use the whistle. (I always tell the players it's "on my whistle please"). If the free kick is inside the team's own half, there's little point in blowing for it.

There's no exact science behind it mate. Generally, unless it's a shot on goal as above, and all players have had time to take up their positions it's not necessary to signal with the whistle. You'll get a feel for it as you do more matches . :)
I know the Right Hon @one has already answered... I think there is a more exact science.

If you’ve stopped the game for any reason then a following FK is on the whistle. Sub, injury treatment, card... and typically, depending on your whistle technique and what you are taught, these extraordinary moments are often double beeps. It’s obvious the game is stopped, you warn the player about to take the kick audibly that it’s on the whistle, and you hold up the whistle for the world to see.

For other free kicks, it’s on the whistle only if you say so. So when is that? It’s if you interfere. If you are standing over the ball, getting the ball repositioned, waiting to see if a player is injured... then you are involved and you should prevent a quick free kick and tell it’s on the whistle.

There’s an outlier here... if you end up in a bad position because of a free kick decision and the FK is about to be launched into the box I think the smart ref makes it on the whistle to get into position.

If defenders are standing over the ball and it’s shooting territory, it’s obviously gonna be ceremonial, tell the kicker it’s on the whistle, pace out the wall etc.

Lastly if you don’t have to interfere, stay away from the ball and the kicker. And they might take it quick or normally. If they look at you confused, tell them to carry on. If they still look confused you can ask if they want it on the whistle (see point 2 if there is some kind of set piece lined up) but IMHO getting in a situation where you need to ask the kicker is incredibly rare.

I’ve been taught a pretty clear formula and TBH only just got the hang of staying out of the way unless necessary.

They key is are you involved? If you’ve got involved then make it on the whistle to avoid crazy incidents.

Any regional variation here?
 
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Don't blow for half time or full time after a foul or any other spat. Restart play first to allow the warring parties to go their separate ways
 
Lastly if you don’t have to interfere, stay away from the ball and the kicker. And they might take it quick or normally. If they look at you confused, tell them to carry on. If they still look confused you can ask if they want it on the whistle (see point 2 if there is some kind of set piece lined up) but IMHO getting in a situation where you need to ask the kicker is incredibly rare.

I’ve been taught a pretty clear formula and TBH only just got the hang of staying out of the way unless necessary.

Any regional variation here?

Fully agree with this. if I'm to involve myself with the free-kick in any way, I will make clear that the FK is a ceremonial restart by announcing it and pointing to my whistle. If I move back a wall, the defense would be justified in believing it is a ceremonial restart, so I try to make absolutely clear to everyone that it is a ceremonial restart before getting involved in any way.
 
Me too. A simple expression of this is that the only right a team committing a foul has is the right for the referee not to confuse them.

If you do something that would reasonably make them think the FK has become ceremonial, it needs to be ceremonial.

I strongly disagree with the idea of automatically making all attacking third FKs ceremonial. If the team wants to take a quick FK, that is their right.
 
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