Soccer Video & Rule Review

As referees, we often find ourselves in situations where a foul falls into a grey area—one that isn’t quite worthy of a yellow card but is also more than a regular challenge. These types of fouls, often committed out of frustration, can quickly escalate if not managed properly.

In this video, we see a clear charge by #17 Black into a White defender. While the challenge itself does not warrant a caution, it’s more than just an ordinary foul. One crucial aspect of game management in these moments is how we handle the player who committed the foul. Too often, when a player is on the ground, our instinct is to focus on the possibly injured player while allowing the perpetrator to walk away unaddressed.
In this clip, the White defender is visibly struggling to get up. It was good for the referee to check on the injured player to assess the severity of the possible injury. However, while this is happening, frustration is brewing among the White team, and #17 Black walks away without any acknowledgment from the referee.

What kind of message does this send to the fouled player and his teammates? Does it appear that the referee recognizes that #17 Black made no real attempt to play the ball? More importantly, how does this impact the overall temperature of the match? Moments like these provide an opportunity for the referee to assert control before tensions rise further.

While this challenge does not merit a yellow card, it is more than a regular foul—meaning it has the potential to escalate. The referee should take note of the player responsible while checking on the injured opponent. Once it’s clear that a trainer isn’t needed, the next step should be addressing #17 Black directly. Since the ensuing free kick is unlikely to be taken quickly, this is the perfect opportunity to pause, ensure the restart happens on the whistle, and take a moment to interact with #17.

By doing so, the referee communicates to everyone on the field—including the benches—that this was not just a standard foul. This small but effective interaction reinforces authority, manages emotions, and helps prevent the game from boiling over.

Good refereeing isn’t just about making calls—it’s about recognizing moments where interaction can help control a game. By being proactive and identifying these instances for interaction, referees can help control the game’s temperature, defuse rising tensions, and prevent fouls and incidents from escalating further.

Watch the summary of the incident here.

Developing the ability to understand when to get involved as an assistant referee is crucial. You must recognize when a decision falls to you, the assistant referee—whether due to you having the best positioning or the game expecting that you will make the call. When deciding to get involved, consider these key factors:  

• Is there a clear foul/offense?
• What is the proximity and viewing angle of the referee?
•  What is the proximity and viewing angle of the assistant referee (you)?
• What are the AR priorities?

Most importantly, if you are to step in, the incident must be 100% clear, and you need to be 100% correct in your decision.  

With these four bullet points in mind, have a look at the video below.

In this clip, the ball is played 45 yards toward the top of the penalty area as the goalkeeper moves forward to collect and control it. The assistant referee does an excellent job of sprinting back, tracking the ball, and positioning himself properly as an attacker also charges toward the goalkeeper. Reaching the top of the penalty area, the assistant referee focuses on the goalkeeper, while the referee remains near midfield, awaiting the distribution of the ball.  

As the goalkeeper distributes the ball with a throw, he steps 1.5 yards outside the penalty area while still holding it. The assistant referee correctly identifies the handball offense and signals for a foul. The referee acknowledges the signal, blows the whistle, and the assistant referee indicates the direction of the foul. The referee then confirms the restart position, leading to a direct free kick for a handball offense outside the area.  

In this situation, the handball offense was clear. The assistant referee had the proximity and the best angle and was the most credible official to make the call. His awareness and positioning enabled him to assist the referee in ensuring the correct decision was made. Additionally, working on a football field with multiple field markings can add complexity, making precise positioning and focus even more essential.  

See the clip below for further review.

As referees, one of our most important responsibilities is ensuring player safety. While we focus on managing the flow of the game and enforcing the rules, we must always remain alert to potential injuries—especially head injuries.

This video clip highlights a key learning moment: A player goes down after an unusual impact from a rebounding ball. Play continues for several seconds before the match is stopped, and then there’s a delay in calling for medical staff. This situation reminds us of a simple but critical approach when dealing with possible head injuries:

1. See the Incident
Constant scanning is essential, and even more so around the penalty area; we have to not overly focus on the ball as a referee. Players can go down from obvious collisions, but sometimes the cause is more subtle—like an awkward fall or, in this case, an unexpected ball impact. Be aware of players on the ground, especially defenders in their own penalty area. If something seems off, trust your instincts and react quickly.

2. Stop The Match
There’s no time to weigh the attacking potential of a play—head or other serious injuries demand immediate action. The moment you recognize a possible head or serious injury, stop
the game right away. A few seconds can make a big difference in protecting a player’s well-being. As referees we want to let an attack play out or a phase of play end, but with suspected serious injuries, just stop the game. Player safety is more important than an attacking opportunity.

3. Call for Assistance
Stopping play is only the first part—immediately wave trainers or medical staff onto the field for suspected serious or head injuries. Don’t hesitate. The sooner they can evaluate the player, the better. You can then back away and consult with your assistant referee for any additional details or information they may have.

Final Thoughts
We all want to keep the game moving, but player safety always comes first. Staying focused, scanning the field, and acting decisively in moments like these ensure player safety and will foster trust between you and the players and coaches that you are there for them. Keep up the great work, stay vigilant, and remember: See it, Stop it, Call for help.

When do you give an advantage? According to the 2024-25 NFSH Soccer Rules, the concept of advantage is “based on the premise that the foul did not put the offended team at a disadvantage, or the foul, if called, may take away a favorable opportunity for the offending team.” If anyone officiates soccer for US Soccer, FIFA’s Laws of the Game provides some extra considerations for when to give an advantage and when not to.

With this in mind, have a look at the video below. 

The focus of this clip is not whether or not the advantage should have been given. It is about what to do before giving an advantage signal.

When the possible foul happened, the white team kept possession of the ball. But there was some pressure from the green team. The referee brought his whistle to his mouth but did not blow it. He waited to see what would happen before deciding whether or not to stop the game for a free kick. The white team kept the ball.

Once the ball was passed to the right defender of the white team, the referee gave an advantage signal. It is on the referee to decide if allowing the play to continue would be a better option for the white team. However, there are two important lessons here.

First, the pass to the right defender was a little long. He had to change the direction of his run to reach the ball. Second, you notice that the referee’s attention was on the ball the entire time and he never scanned the field to observe the attacking third. Did the white team have numerical advantage in the attacking third? Was the green team’s defensive structure disrupted so much that the white team would have a chance to create a scoring chance despite the not-so-optimal pass to the right defender?

If the referee had taken these factors into consideration and had still given an advantage, it would be his decision to do so. However, it is also important to scan up-field to see if “team advantage” truly exists. Sometimes we give an advantage just because the same team kept possession of the ball.

You can watch an analysis of the clip below.