Recent content by Dave Ambrose

I thought that should have been reviewed too for a penalty, it looked like one to me as the ball did not go out of play. Does it matter that the foul occurred off the pitch? (Beyond the goal line)?

Interesting, is that what happens now? So the line is thicker on the far side of the pitch? (Presumably both lines) - have there been more offsides given by VAR on the near side than the far side? I presume technology would be able to calculate the perspective.

It’s so simple, just make the lines drawn on VAR different thicknesses - give the defender a thicker line so the forward gets the benefit of doubt and takes away the margin of error from when frame is frozen and where their armpit is.

I’m guilty of it too before I knew, remember screaming at the AR at a Tranmere Lincoln game because Matt Rhead used to be up there for every goal kick.

Until reading the laws, I didn’t realise that a player can’t be offside from a goal kick. Not a lot of teams try it, would probably catch the AR out. Also didn’t realise the player taking a PK can’t receive the ball when rebounding off the post or crossbar (or from a corner/FK). Have never seen...

Thanks everyone, great to know. The groundsman at a regular pitch I ref is asking us to use the opposite flanks for the next few months as it is getting damaged, so will give it a go.

Hi, I’ve always adhered to the linesmen being on the side of the leftback for the defending team - is there anything in the rules that forbids them being on the other side, if that side of the pitch/line is in a poor state? (Assuming they both go with the defending right back)

Sorry, there must be other threads on this but I can’t find them. If a player is in an offside position just inside the opponents half when a clearance is made, and he runs back 20 yards to collect the ball then he is offside - is the IFK taken from where he collects the ball, in his own half? I...

Doh! Thanks, sorry I missed that. If I was a GK I would practise at miskicks to make them look genuine !

Also, if the GK attempts to clear a back pass but mid-kicks it, or misses it altogether (genuinely), are they then allowed to handle it? I’m sure I read somewhere that it is permitted but can’t find it in the laws

From a throw in, if the ball travels parallel straight along and above the line, bounces on it and then goes out has it entered the field of play and gone out again? I guess so but just checking. It sort of implies that the throw in can be taken with the ball already in the field of play!

I don’t think the GK will do it again! If he marches toward me with the ball in his hands asking for an explanation I don’t think I would consider it misconduct.

Many thanks, that’s great advice. I had to give an IFK myself recently in an U18 game for a clear pass back and pick up, but within seconds the attacker had put the ball down, passed to a team mate who slotted it in, I had no reason to disallow it and it saved 5 minutes of faffing about!

Just to clarify, if a defender passes to the keeper and mishits it such that it is going in, and the keeper tips it round the post, that is an IFK for handball? (With no yellow card). Have to admit, I thought the keeper had to bring the ball under control for it to be an IFK?