Yellow Card...really?

etc1217

SILVER ELITE
Just curious on a call at our GU17 play-off game in the last 2 mins which rattled our team a bit.

Just to give background, our team played short all game with only 10 players with no subs in the heat while the opposing team had a bench with 4 subs. Needlees to say, our team was tired by the last 5 mins of the game and just trying to hold onto their lead. We were playing on our back half and in the last 2 mins, one of our players kicked the ball out to clear it. The ref gave the player a yellow card saying it was excessive. But it took less than 10 secs to retrieve the ball for the throw-in. It took him longer to give the yellow card and fill out the card. Then he added time at the end due to it, but as we were told by the league that no extra time will be added.

Anyway, we were up 1-0 with that call it rattled the team a bit and in the last 30 secs, the opposing team ended up tying the game. So we ended up doing PKs and fortunately, we still came out with the win.

I know we aren't the only team that tries to run the clock down especially in the last few minutes by kicking the ball out, taking time with throw-ins or subbing but I have never seen a yellow card come out maybe a warning if anything. My question is, was it really necessary for the card?
 
Are you sure the Yellow card was for kicking the ball out of play? If so, I am not sure what justification the Referee had to issue a Yellow card. There is nothing in the LOTG that says a player must gently kick the ball out of play. If the referee did verbally indicate he was adding time and the gaming rules said no additional time, then the referee violated the gaming rules. It sounds as if everything worked out okay, so just move on and be great full for the win.

On the other hand, why did the team get rattled? It was only a Yellow card.
 
Law 12:

CAUTIONABLE OFFENCES
A player is cautioned if guilty of:
  • delaying the restart of play
  • dissent by word or action
  • entering, re-entering or deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission
  • failing to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in
  • persistent offences (no specific number or pattern of offences constitutes “persistent”)
  • unsporting behaviour
This is kina like pornography ... hard to define, but we all know it when we see it. Today, my kid's team (losing) had a kid boot the ball after the whistle into the next field ... 10-20 second delay. If I was the Referee, I would have given him a card (our Referee didn't). It was clearly an attempt to delay the restart of play and unsporting.

Lot's of behavior is borderline and some of it gets called and some doesn't. The simple question is: Did the player kick the ball out of bounds with the intent to delay the restart of play? If so, a caution is warranted under the rules.
 
Law 12:

CAUTIONABLE OFFENCES
A player is cautioned if guilty of:
  • delaying the restart of play
  • dissent by word or action
  • entering, re-entering or deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission
  • failing to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in
  • persistent offences (no specific number or pattern of offences constitutes “persistent”)
  • unsporting behaviour
This is kina like pornography ... hard to define, but we all know it when we see it. Today, my kid's team (losing) had a kid boot the ball after the whistle into the next field ... 10-20 second delay. If I was the Referee, I would have given him a card (our Referee didn't). It was clearly an attempt to delay the restart of play and unsporting.

Lot's of behavior is borderline and some of it gets called and some doesn't. The simple question is: Did the player kick the ball out of bounds with the intent to delay the restart of play? If so, a caution is warranted under the rules.

Had play not been stopped and the player booted the ball out of play during active play, than there is no foul or misconduct or reason to issue a card. If play had been stopped for a foul or some other reason and then the player booted the ball, then there could be a caution issued.
 
Had play not been stopped and the player booted the ball out of play during active play, than there is no foul or misconduct or reason to issue a card. If play had been stopped for a foul or some other reason and then the player booted the ball, then there could be a caution issued.

I'm not so sure that the first instance of "had play not been stopped" is determinative given the "unsporting behavior" element (but I'm open for a good argument against). We know Law 12 states:

DELAYING THE RESTART OF PLAY
Referees must caution players who delay the restart of play by:
  • appearing to take a throw-in but suddenly leaving it to a team-mate to take
  • delaying leaving the field of play when being substituted
  • excessively delaying a restart
  • kicking or carrying the ball away, or provoking a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play
  • taking a free kick from the wrong position to force a retake
Your point is that item 4 is applicable (kicking ... the ball away ... after the referee has stopped play). No disagreement here.

Now the question becomes at what point does booting the ball into the next county become unsporting behavior? Has the "excessively delaying a restart" element been satisfied? What if the same player has booted the ball into the next county 3, 4, 5 times?

CAUTIONS FOR UNSPORTING BEHAVIOUR
There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behavior including if a player:

  • attempts to deceive the referee e.g. by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation)
  • changes places with the goalkeeper during play or without the referee’s permission
  • commits in a reckless manner a direct free kick offence
  • handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack
  • commits a foul which interferes with or stops a promising attack except where the referee awards a penalty kick for an offence which was an attempt to play the ball
  • denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by an offence which was an attempt to play the ball and the referee awards a penalty kick
  • handles the ball in an attempt to score a goal (whether or not the attempt is successful) or in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a goal
  • makes unauthorised marks on the field of play
  • plays the ball when leaving the field of play after being given permission to leave
  • shows a lack of respect for the game
  • uses a deliberate trick to pass the ball (including from a free kick) to the goalkeeper with the head, chest, knee etc. to circumvent the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hands
  • verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart
Does kicking the ball into the next county rise to the level of "shows a lack of respect for the game" when it is clear that the kick was clearly an attempt to delay the restart of play?
 
Just curious on a call at our GU17 play-off game in the last 2 mins which rattled our team a bit.

Just to give background, our team played short all game with only 10 players with no subs in the heat while the opposing team had a bench with 4 subs. Needlees to say, our team was tired by the last 5 mins of the game and just trying to hold onto their lead. We were playing on our back half and in the last 2 mins, one of our players kicked the ball out to clear it. The ref gave the player a yellow card saying it was excessive. But it took less than 10 secs to retrieve the ball for the throw-in. It took him longer to give the yellow card and fill out the card. Then he added time at the end due to it, but as we were told by the league that no extra time will be added.

Anyway, we were up 1-0 with that call it rattled the team a bit and in the last 30 secs, the opposing team ended up tying the game. So we ended up doing PKs and fortunately, we still came out with the win.

I know we aren't the only team that tries to run the clock down especially in the last few minutes by kicking the ball out, taking time with throw-ins or subbing but I have never seen a yellow card come out maybe a warning if anything. My question is, was it really necessary for the card?

Where was there "heat" at today?
Was your team kicking it out of bounds at every opportunity? Certainly within the laws of the game to do so. And given the circumstances of playing short, probably a sound strategy.
But I hate nothing more than a team that plays "when in doubt, kick it out" defense.
 
I'm not so sure that the first instance of "had play not been stopped" is determinative given the "unsporting behavior" element (but I'm open for a good argument against). We know Law 12 states:

DELAYING THE RESTART OF PLAY
Referees must caution players who delay the restart of play by:
  • appearing to take a throw-in but suddenly leaving it to a team-mate to take
  • delaying leaving the field of play when being substituted
  • excessively delaying a restart
  • kicking or carrying the ball away, or provoking a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play
  • taking a free kick from the wrong position to force a retake
Your point is that item 4 is applicable (kicking ... the ball away ... after the referee has stopped play). No disagreement here.

Now the question becomes at what point does booting the ball into the next county become unsporting behavior? Has the "excessively delaying a restart" element been satisfied? What if the same player has booted the ball into the next county 3, 4, 5 times?

CAUTIONS FOR UNSPORTING BEHAVIOUR
There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behavior including if a player:

  • attempts to deceive the referee e.g. by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation)
  • changes places with the goalkeeper during play or without the referee’s permission
  • commits in a reckless manner a direct free kick offence
  • handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack
  • commits a foul which interferes with or stops a promising attack except where the referee awards a penalty kick for an offence which was an attempt to play the ball
  • denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by an offence which was an attempt to play the ball and the referee awards a penalty kick
  • handles the ball in an attempt to score a goal (whether or not the attempt is successful) or in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a goal
  • makes unauthorised marks on the field of play
  • plays the ball when leaving the field of play after being given permission to leave
  • shows a lack of respect for the game
  • uses a deliberate trick to pass the ball (including from a free kick) to the goalkeeper with the head, chest, knee etc. to circumvent the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hands
  • verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart
Does kicking the ball into the next county rise to the level of "shows a lack of respect for the game" when it is clear that the kick was clearly an attempt to delay the restart of play?

There is no valid reason to Caution a player for kicking a ball out of play during active play whether they do it gently or as hard and far as they can. There is no lack of respect for the game. That is a good sound strategy for a team playing short especially near the end of the game. If the Referee really wanted to speed up getting play restarted, he could have the home team place a few game balls at each side of the field at midfield. This would help keep the game moving. Some may say that by doing this the Referee is helping the losing team have a better chance of winning. The best alternative is for the losing coach to get the parents to spread out around the field and shag the ball to get it back in play quicker.
 
Where was there "heat" at today?
Was your team kicking it out of bounds at every opportunity? Certainly within the laws of the game to do so. And given the circumstances of playing short, probably a sound strategy.
But I hate nothing more than a team that plays "when in doubt, kick it out" defense.

The game was yesterday in Temecula and yes, there was heat/sun. And no, they weren't kicking the ball out at every opportunity. The players were all fatigued and we, as parent, could see it, it was the last 2 mins of the game. Our players try to play the ball the best they can and it's a last ditch effort if they do kick the ball out, which the player ended up doing out of the necessity of not letting the opposing team score. She was running across the field to get to the ball so with the adrenaline/speed she kicked the ball out. There was no lack of respect to the game.

On the other hand, why did the team get rattled? It was only a Yellow card.

Rattled may have been the wrong word choice, it was more frustrated after the player was given the yellow card. Since they have been busting their butts the last 15 mins playing defense to try and hold on to their lead, keep in mind they were playing a man down with no subs all game for 90 mins and to get a yellow card for kicking the ball out of bounds on a play that the player felt was the only choice she had, just blew all the players' minds.

The reason for the post, was that I wanted to know if there is a rule about kicking the ball out and apparently there is under certain circumstances. Thank you the clarification.
 
Are you sure the Yellow card was for kicking the ball out of play?

Yes, the player asked what was it for and he said for excessively kicking the ball out of bounds and then he said he is adding time on the clock for it. It took no more time to retrieve the ball than it did any other time when the ball went out. But other then that, the ref called a pretty tight game.
 
I'm not so sure that the first instance of "had play not been stopped" is determinative given the "unsporting behavior" element (but I'm open for a good argument against). We know Law 12 states:

DELAYING THE RESTART OF PLAY
Referees must caution players who delay the restart of play by:
  • appearing to take a throw-in but suddenly leaving it to a team-mate to take
  • delaying leaving the field of play when being substituted
  • excessively delaying a restart
  • kicking or carrying the ball away, or provoking a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play
  • taking a free kick from the wrong position to force a retake
Your point is that item 4 is applicable (kicking ... the ball away ... after the referee has stopped play). No disagreement here.

Now the question becomes at what point does booting the ball into the next county become unsporting behavior? Has the "excessively delaying a restart" element been satisfied? What if the same player has booted the ball into the next county 3, 4, 5 times?

CAUTIONS FOR UNSPORTING BEHAVIOUR
There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behavior including if a player:

  • attempts to deceive the referee e.g. by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation)
  • changes places with the goalkeeper during play or without the referee’s permission
  • commits in a reckless manner a direct free kick offence
  • handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack
  • commits a foul which interferes with or stops a promising attack except where the referee awards a penalty kick for an offence which was an attempt to play the ball
  • denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by an offence which was an attempt to play the ball and the referee awards a penalty kick
  • handles the ball in an attempt to score a goal (whether or not the attempt is successful) or in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a goal
  • makes unauthorised marks on the field of play
  • plays the ball when leaving the field of play after being given permission to leave
  • shows a lack of respect for the game
  • uses a deliberate trick to pass the ball (including from a free kick) to the goalkeeper with the head, chest, knee etc. to circumvent the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hands
  • verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart
Does kicking the ball into the next county rise to the level of "shows a lack of respect for the game" when it is clear that the kick was clearly an attempt to delay the restart of play?

No.
 
I have heard of a player being cautioned when he or she clears the ball but appears to intentionally blast it as far as possible out of play. It seems like an unnecessary intrusion by the ref in the actual play of the game with only the most tenuous connection to the LOTG.

Maybe the ref was hot and tired too and made a stupid call before he had a chance to think about it.
 
During Surf Cup at an older boy's game, I saw a defender try to blast the ball into the next county from near the sideline. The ball went about 3 yards and nailed a parent walking between fields. She was not seriously hurt, but I bet it left a mark. Pay attention to the game near by, especially if they are olders and you have small children with you.
 
During Surf Cup at an older boy's game, I saw a defender try to blast the ball into the next county from near the sideline. The ball went about 3 yards and nailed a parent walking between fields. She was not seriously hurt, but I bet it left a mark. Pay attention to the game near by, especially if they are olders and you have small children with you.
Did he get a yellow? :eek:
 
Law 12:

CAUTIONABLE OFFENCES
A player is cautioned if guilty of:
  • delaying the restart of play
  • dissent by word or action
  • entering, re-entering or deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission
  • failing to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in
  • persistent offences (no specific number or pattern of offences constitutes “persistent”)
  • unsporting behaviour
This is kina like pornography ... hard to define, but we all know it when we see it. Today, my kid's team (losing) had a kid boot the ball after the whistle into the next field ... 10-20 second delay. If I was the Referee, I would have given him a card (our Referee didn't). It was clearly an attempt to delay the restart of play and unsporting.

Lot's of behavior is borderline and some of it gets called and some doesn't. The simple question is: Did the player kick the ball out of bounds with the intent to delay the restart of play? If so, a caution is warranted under the rules.
Baloney.

With all the information available and the tremendous amount and effort USSF is putting into referee education, what is your excuse for this ignorance?
 
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