Feelings on ARs

[futuredemon]

Mainly this question stems from how do you feel about an AR stopping a ball from rolling 50 yds away from the pitch by putting a foot out or stepping in front of the ball if NO players are around and the ball is Obviously going out of play. Is this a rude thing for the ref to let the ball scream past him only to roll a great distance inturn causing the game to waste time, one player must retrieve the ball (this does not include some teams like St. Louis that have ball boys at every home game), and the players thinking the ref could have helped by just stopping the ball. Now, don't get me wrong i think it is inappropriate for a referee to take 3 or four hops to stop a ball, but if the game is tight and the ball is coming directly toward the referee standing 1 - 3 feet off of the field, like they are supposed to be, then why not stop the ball? please comment and add opinions.

[barnacle13]

Keep in mind stopping the ball may impact the game just as significantly as not stopping the ball. Clearing the ball out of bounds to kill time is good strategy if you're holding a lead. Having an AR stop the ball negatively impacts your ability to "kill" the clock. If you're down a goal it is certainly annoying, but then keeping the ball in bounds would beat getting a quick throw in. The referee's job is not to keep the ball close to the field of play, but to ensure the laws of the game are upheld and player safety is safeguarded. If the ball is intentionally cleared out of bounds after a whistle blow the play to a stop then the center referee should caution the player for delaying the game. Center referee can also add stoppage time as he/she sees fit. For a normal clearout you wouldn't expect any additional time, but for a delay of game infraction you would. So, I don't think it is the ARs responsibility to keep the ball from rolling away from the field. That responsibility lies with the players on the field. That being said I think many ARs would stick their foot out unless it's a hard clearout.

[Steven Gerrard]

If I am the AR, I never, repeat, never, stop the ball with my foot. Trust me, you will feel differently the first time an AR stops the ball in your teams defending third and the other team gets a quick throw in that leads to a shot and/or goal. Barnacle is correct, if your team was trying to delay things by clearing the ball out of bounds, you would go ballistic if the AR stuck out his foot and stopped the ball. It is a matter of being impartial. The AR is not one of the players on the field. If he stops the ball with his foot, then he may be accused of showing favoritism to one team or the other. Thus, the AR should never, repeat, never, stop the ball with his foot.

Is it a pain for the players to go get the ball? Yes. But, they are young and can handle it. Of course, if the game is a blowout, things may be different.

[happyjack]

Barnacle, there is no infringement for kicking a ball 50 yards out of okay, so it can't be considered time wasting. Tome is not added for kickingthe ball out of play. As far as officials stopping the ball, they should never do it. Referees aren't ball chasers. And as a wise referee once said...that is the referee rest period. Saving it takes away my rest period

[futuredemon]

Dec 1, 2011 15:23:28 GMT -6 Steven Gerrard said:

If I am the AR, I never, repeat, never, stop the ball with my foot. Trust me, you will feel differently the first time an AR stops the ball in your teams defending third and the other team gets a quick throw in that leads to a shot and/or goal. Barnacle is correct, if your team was trying to delay things by clearing the ball out of bounds, you would go ballistic if the AR stuck out his foot and stopped the ball. It is a matter of being impartial. The AR is not one of the players on the field. If he stops the ball with his foot, then he may be accused of showing favoritism to one team or the other. Thus, the AR should never, repeat, never, stop the ball with his foot.

Is it a pain for the players to go get the ball? Yes. But, they are young and can handle it. Of course, if the game is a blowout, things may be different.

I've never thought about "what if the attacking team gets a goal or conerkick oppurtunity because the AR stopped the ball." I know some refs may dislike a coach, but i can honestly say I've never seen a ref (with one exception) show favoritism, but that assumption can be understandable.

[cardsinhand]

Happy is correct. Referee rest period. I threaten my ARs with broken limbs if they touch the ball.

[pop]

Cards you threaten the AR'S for less sometimes. haha

[dulac]

Here's an actual scenario. College games where ball people are provided... Teams expect to have ball given to them by the ball people. Tied game in the last seconds of play. Defending team kicks the ball into touch near the top of the 18. It bounces out of play and AR catches it and hands it to the attacking team. Attacking team throws the ball in to a forward who then heads the ball in. Time runs out. Big OOPS! I can't have too much sympathy for this AR when the coach tears him a new one.
On the big games, pick up your foot, duck, step aside, do whatever you have to do just don't touch the ball. For a U10 game, not as big a deal. ;-)

[viewfromthepitch]

I don't think any players coaches or spectators should be feeling on ARs. It's not professional. ;D

VFTP

[Steven Gerrard]

Jan 4, 2012 2:13:43 GMT -6 viewfromthepitch said:

I don't think any players coaches or spectators should be feeling on ARs. It's not professional. ;D

VFTP

Unfortunately, my wife agrees.

[laffysoccermom]

Love it.

I am just happy when an AR calls the majority of throw-ins correctly. Good offsides calls are great as well. Don't really expect them to shag balls.

[happyjack]

Please don't mention shagging balls when British posters are around. This is, after all, a family website. Thanks

[furriner]

don't knock it till you have tried it! Not that I am British, of course. Just Furrin

[laffysoccermom]

OMG from feeling to shagging- sorry guys! Really don't expect either from ARs.

[beauchenecoach]

Dec 12, 2011 12:07:22 GMT -6 pop said:

Cards you threaten the AR'S for less sometimes. haha

HA HA HA! Excellent pop! Especially in my opinion as of late! cardsinhand need to show his authority!

[cardsinhand]

Careful coach, pop may be a little sensitive about that right now.
I would like to show it coach, but I will not be able to make it Wednesday night. Have to teach the referee class. Sorry. Best of luck to both BC and TCHS. I hope everyone survives the war!