SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Girls Varsity Soccer Refs

1. I will add that consistancy is the most important thing. At least you know what is and isn't going to be called and adjust.
2. As for the "let them play". I wish more refs would USE the advantage call. I just wish they would give the "play on" call. That way you at least know that they saw the foul.

3. I think we need to teach players to play through fouls. Yes, i know some of them are bad. But sometimes if you continue to play you will gain an advantage.

Just some thoughts.

OBSTRUCTION

Is there anyone out there who would like to see this called more often? If you are in the same zip code as the ball, apparently you are now allowed to "shield off" your opponent.

Obstruction I think is now called impedeing.

I've seen it called once this year and I thought the fans were going to jump the ref.

Law 12 of the FIFA Laws of the Game (LOTG) specifies the following:
"An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee:....
• impedes the progress of an opponent"

This is what is commonly referred to as "obstruction". The "impedes" terminology has been the official wording for the entire 12 years I have been involved with the game.

The LOTG do not explain it any further than this, but the typical instruction to referees is that a player cannot move into a position which impedes an opponent unless they are within "playing distance" of the ball and playing the ball by shielding it. They do not have to actually touch the ball. What constitutes "playing distance" is in the judgement of the referee depending on age, ability, and skill level of the competition. Playing distance for U18 boys, for example, would clearly be more than playing distance for U13 girls.

I know I'll get jumped for this,BUT. . .

This is a great example of the diff between club and HS—In club proper shielding is common and few people gripe about it—The player shielding generally IS within playing distance of the ball—

In HS you have less experienced players who view "shielding" as equal to basketball's "setting a pick"—therein lies the problem—Fans in HS also go wild when proper shielding is taking place but find a good ol' pick OK—Causing the enjoyable yell: "How is that any different, ref??? Call it both ways!!!"

Jumped and knocked out of bounds......some of the knocks are pretty hard. I mean I have seen players raised into the air only to fall flat on their face. And yes the crowd yells "Call it both ways".

P&Y

I wish we had some of dem dare cluuuub playas you been tawking bout. Ha, JK!!!!

I actually agree. In HS you're more than likely going to get the "lean back" and "butt jab" as poor attempts to shield - thus giving it a bad name.

To officials credit, I probably get a ratio of 8:1 in terms of good to bad. I honestly don't see HS hiring 16 year old boys to drive all over the upstate and do sidelines so we have a center ref. I know they won't do it now b/c of numbers, so that would be the next (only) available work force. Lots and lots of games going on Tuesday and Friday nights to zap up the zebras. Guess we're to be content with our forums.

West Florence girls played at Sumter last night(JV game). I have to say that, in the past, the officiating at Sumter has been frustrating to say the least. Last night, however, I saw some of the best officiating I've seen this season. These guys took control of the game (warned a fan for language) and called an extremely good game. I don't know who they were, but thank you for your great work last night!

I heard the refs were particularly bad at the BC/Airport game. Even the State Newspaper referred to it as "hypersensitive" and it influenced the play of BC.