The Ref Stop

Clever Corner Kick

micky2001

micky2001

Well-Known Member
I'm currently attending refereeing training classes and tonight our trainers couldn't agree on the following scenario and left me puzzled.

Red Team have a corner and player A goes over and slightly moves the ball, thus, making it in play. Then player B from the same team goes over and runs in with the ball into the box.

One of our trainers is a current SFA Cat.1 linesman and said that the SFA put out a guideline/directive of some sort saying that this in their eyes circumvents the LOTG and is kind of cheating and shouldn't be allowed and he therefore wouldn't allow it. However, the other trainer, an ex Cat. ref said that as long as the team informed him before the game that they might do this, he would have no problem allowing this to happen.

Who is right?
 
The Ref Stop
This is something that used to happen a lot when I first started refereeing, 17 years ago. Manager would ask if his team could do exactly as you said. Not seen it for a long time though.

If the defending team aren't paying attention and the ball is kicked and moves, by player A, the ball is in play. So there's nothing stopping player B from running towards goal.

It's not particularly in the spirit of the game though, and quite frankly something you're not likely to see.

I personally have seen no directive about not allowing this to happen
 
Perfectly acceptable. Ball has come into play and neither player has committed an offence.
 
I have no problems with this act unless any form of verbal distraction is used ie.. player shouts "here you take it" etc.

If that happens then Im awarding an IDFK and cautioning for USB.

Ublades
 
No offence, play continues. Of course, I'm not standing there like a lemon, so a simple "ball's live, gents" will suffice.
 
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Giggs and Beckham pulled this one a few years ago I seem to remember.

As a kid, I always thought the ball had to 'roll one circumference' before it was deemed in play, but now the LOTG say 'kicked and moves' so yeah - a tap with the studs, slight movement of ball and it's in play.

Would only shout 'ball's live' if questioned by a player - they should know the Laws themselves (bahahahaha) and I don't think helping them out like that should be part of our game. A bit like telling the keeper that he can pick it up when it comes off a defender.

In this case, the attacking team are seeking an advantage by surprise - if the defenders don't cotton on, it's not our place to remove the advantage gained is it?
 
I would shout if I saw it that "the ball is In play". I do a similar thing with quick free kicks if they ask if they can take a quick one ("you can take it when your ready").

Preventative officiating. Nobody can complain if you give a clear shout.
 
Yeah, I'd much rather be open and communicative than have to react to a situation that could have been easily avoided.

I'm hardly announcing it over the tannoy, just saying it aloud. Someone'll hear it. Helps an assistant on the farside too.
 
Did Man Utd try this a few years ago and I'm sure Howard Webb disallowed it and made them retake it for unsporting behaviour or something on them lines.
 
Wasn't it because the ball didn't move its circumference, as what was written in ye olde good book Blatter 3:14 at the time?
 
micky2001 said:
I'm currently attending refereeing training classes and tonight our trainers couldn't agree on the following scenario and left me puzzled.

Red Team have a corner and player A goes over and slightly moves the ball, thus, making it in play. Then player B from the same team goes over and runs in with the ball into the box.

One of our trainers is a current SFA Cat.1 linesman and said that the SFA put out a guideline/directive of some sort saying that this in their eyes circumvents the LOTG and is kind of cheating and shouldn't be allowed and he therefore wouldn't allow it. However, the other trainer, an ex Cat. ref said that as long as the team informed him before the game that they might do this, he would have no problem allowing this to happen.

Who is right?
Click to expand...

The first one, imo. I wouldn't allow this.
 
Nothing in the Laws to stop them doing it. Ball has to be touched and moved and it's in play.

matty639 said:
Did Man Utd try this a few years ago and I'm sure Howard Webb disallowed it and made them retake it for unsporting behaviour or something on them lines.
Click to expand...

I remember them doing it, Giggs was one of the players and I can;t remember who the other was, may have been OGS, or Beckham, but play was allowed to go on. Opposition were in uproar, pundits and coomentators were flabbergahasted - with the exception of Mr Tyler, who calmly explained that the law had changed, and that the ball was in play as soon as OGS had moved it with his foot. My Gray, then consulted the book and confirmed it in the studio bit afterwards - but complained that it was unsporting.
 
In all fairness, I actually coach my team do this and it works a treat, lots of managers have asked me about it post match and they like the idea.

I don't see it much when I'm refereeing, but it is part of my tactics as a coach. Nothing wrong with it in my opinion.
 
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