Soccer Video & Rule Review

What happens right after a kickoff? As far as the team in possession of the ball is concerned, they may kick it back first to launch the ball forward. Or they may kick it forward right after the kickoff. Or they may try to possess the ball in the midfield. When it comes to the defending team, they may press the player with the ball immediately. Or they may maintain a low defensive line.

Either way, the referee needs to anticipate the next phase of play and prepare themselves to observe the next challenge.

In this clip, you have the referee standing right next to the ball to the attackers’ right, without looking around to anticipate the next phase of play. Where will the ball go? Was the referee prepared for the next challenge? After all, there was no imminent physical challenge near the location of the kickoff. What could happen is a challenge at the next phase of play. 

Right after the kickoff, the maroon team kicked the ball forward. Where should the referee have been to observe the proper kickoff and the next phase of play?

As the diagram above shows (consider the blue team to be taking the kickoff), the standard positioning is to position themselves so that the play will be between themselves and the lead AR.

For the earlier clip, the referee is recommended to position themselves on the other side of the ball, giving players more space, and move so that the next phase of play is between their lead AR and themselves.

Although offside is often thought of as the Assistant Referee's concern, it sometimes requires input from the Referee as well.  

The Assistant Referee is expected to know whether or not a player is in an offside position when their teammate plays or touches the ball. And if that player then plays or touches the ball themselves, the AR usually has all of the information needed to raise the flag for an offside offense. But what if the AR only has half of the information? For example, the player was in an offside position, but it is unclear if they were involved. When this happens, teamwork is critical.

In the following clip, the black team is attacking, and a black player is in an offside position when a teammate shoots the ball. The ball goes into the net for what would be a goal, and the fans even think that a goal has been scored.  

The Assistant Referee knows that the black player was in an offside position at the shot, but is uncertain whether the player was involved in play.  The Referee is also uncertain whether the black player was in an offside position, but knows that the player was visually was in a direct path between the ball and the goalkeeper--if the player was in an offside position, they have interfered with an opponent (the goalkeeper) by clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision.  

Each official has "half of the information." When the goal is scored, the Assistant Referee recognizes that there may have been an offside offense.  So the AR shows the proper mechanics that are expected: staying in place and making eye contact with the Referee.  

The Referee looks at the Assistant Referee and recognizes that a conversation is necessary to confirm the decision. The Referee quickly "waves off" the goal, and the AR immediately raises the flag for the offside signal and indicates that it occurred in the middle of the field.

This is a good example of proper mechanics by both officials and proper teamwork, which resulted in a correct decision that was made quickly and confidently.

Referees need to maintain their focus to see the entirety of any challenge situation. In this video, the white team’s goalkeeper (in light blue) comes out of the penalty area to successfully clear away the ball. An approaching attacker in black arrives late and runs into the keeper, knocking him to the ground – a late and careless foul.

In this instance no foul was called; and the keeper’s clearance went out of play over the touchline, where the black team quickly took a throw-in and began an attacking run toward the goal with an opportunity to get off a quick shot before the keeper could get back into a good position to defend against the attack. Had black scored off this situation or their follow-up on this attack, it could have had a significant impact on the match.

Perhaps the referee was shielded from seeing the nature of the contact because of his distance from the play and being in an apparently straight line with the two players involved. Moving forward more quickly and to the left would have given the referee a better view and improved ability to recognize the foul.

Maintain your focus, work as a referee team, and call the simple fouls that the match provides to prevent escalation or later issues.

The topic of penalties is crucial to discuss as we head into the playoffs. Whether it’s a District match, Regional Semifinal, or the State Final, your game may go to penalties. As referees, we cannot make a mistake that ruins a team’s chance to win. It’s also important to keep in mind that many teams, players, coaches, and referees (hence this review) have probably never had a game go to penalties. Although they may have seen it on TV, it’s a completely different thing to be living it.

There are also differences in how MHSAA operates this procedure vs. FIFA/U.S. Soccer. This week, our post is much longer than usual so that we can review the procedure for NFHS/MHSAA’s kicks from the penalty mark, what to expect, and what to do if something goes amiss. 

The end of Overtime: 

When you finally blow the whistle at the end of that second overtime, emotions are high. But there is also a sense of calm (especially if you feel confident in what to do next). The running is finally over. Everyone’s legs and lungs can finally rest. The best thing you can do is embrace the calm and slow down. Breathe. There is no need to rush. Work with your crew. Review the procedure in your pregame. And talk through it again before overtime. 
Be sure to read the rule book. You may think you know the rules. It is too late on the field to regret not having read the rule book one more time. Have a look at the 2024-2025 Soccer Rules Supplement, page 7 “Shootout Procedure.” A few things to highlight about this section.

1. Only the officials and players taking the kicks will be on the field. This means everyone else will be in their respective bench area.
2. All players, except for those who received a red card in the game, are eligible to be a kicker.  
3. The team that wins the coin toss will have the choice of taking the kick first or second. After that, teams will alternate kicks.
4. If the score is tied after each team has had five kicks, then each coach will select five different players. Then the penalties will go to sudden-victory.

These are just a few important points. Make sure to read the rule book.

Kicks from the Penalty Mark: 

Here is a clip that demonstrates a well-executed kick from the penalty mark procedure. 

Here’s some more detail on what needs to take place.

AR2 is at the halfway line, in the center circle, with only the kickers for each team. AR2 instructs players when to approach for their kick, and record makes and misses. Keep your flag with you– it’s part of your equipment, and if you need to get someone’s attention, that (and your voice) will be the best way to do it. All other players, coaches, and bench personnel are in their respective team areas. 

The goalkeeper from the team taking a kick is to stand on the goal line, at the intersection of the goal line and the penalty area. Here is an image of a goalkeeper correctly positioned. 

If the GK is not properly positioned, they may distract or interfere with the keeper currently in goal. The referee and AR1 can both help instruct the goalkeepers where to stand. Get them positioned correctly the first time, and be sure to give them a quick glance and make sure they are consistently correct. Chances are, they just haven’t done this before, and they don’t know where to go when they aren’t in goal. Help them out! 

AR1 is at the intersection of the goal line and the goal area line. Their job is to watch for goalkeeper infringement. Discuss with the referee beforehand how they want you to signal an infraction if it happens. 

The referee takes a position to watch for kicker infringement. But there will be no attacker/defender encroachment to worry about. You signal for the kick by blowing the whistle. If the goal is good, point towards the center circle just like you would for any other goal. If it’s a miss, there is no signal needed. Make eye contact with AR1 after each kick, even if the outcome of the kick was obvious. 

In this clip, the referee was paying more attention to the GK than to the kicker. Once a kick is taken, their attention can go to the ball. But until the kicker kicks the ball, the referee’s focus should be on the kicker.

The above drawing shows how everyone should be positioned. The only difference for high school is that in the center circle, only the designated five kickers from each team will remain.

While the penalties are happening, keep track of who took a shot and what the outcome was. This is how you ensure nobody kicks twice until everyone takes a kick once, and obviously keep track of scores to know who the winner is.

There is no need to rush. Referee and AR1 are able to communicate easily during this process. Look at each other. Talk to each other. If you are not sure about anything, ask your partner. It is ok to as,k “If the next kick is made, then it’s over, right?”  

After 5 kicks from each team, and it is still tied, then the game moves on to the sudden-victory scenario. The coaches will select five new kickers from their team. Take time to replace them at the halfway line, and make sure everyone else is in their team/bench area. Then the process is the same. The difference here is, if one team scores and the other does not, then the team that scored is declared the winner.

Misconduct and Kicker/Goalkeeper Offenses: 

In the longer clip beforehand, you saw a well-executed shootout procedure that had no misconduct and ended after the first five kickers. Goalkeeper infringement (e.g. them leaving the line too soon) and kicker infringement may happen. You need to be prepared in case it does. 

The Kicker: 

NFHS Rules Book states on Page 76, “The player taking the kick is permitted to use a stutter-step or a hesitation move provided there is no stopping and there is continuous movement towards the ball. Failure to kick the ball as specified shall be considered a violation by the attacking team and the appropriate penalties shall apply. Stutter-stepping is not an interruption in movement.” 

If the kicker is penalized for an offense committed after the referee has signaled for the kick to be taken, that kick is recorded as missed, and the kicker is cautioned. If both the goalkeeper and the kicker commit an offense at the same time, the kick is recorded as missed and the kicker is cautioned. 

The Goalkeeper: 

Keepers are permitted lateral and forward movement, but they cannot come off the line with both feet until the ball is in play. They may not touch the goal posts, crossbar, or net until the ball is in play. 

If the goalkeeper commits an offense and the kick is retaken as a result, the goalkeeper is warned for the first offense and cautioned for any subsequent offense(s). 

If the goalkeeper did not impact the kick, then there is no retake (the kicker either scored or missed). If they commit an offense and make the save or impact the kick, then they are warned the first time. If it happens again, then they receive a caution. If they do it again, then a second caution is issued, along with a red card for the second caution. The goalkeeper may be replaced by an eligible player. This is rare, but it’s good to know it may happen and what to do if it does. 

Final Thoughts 
The best thing you can do is research and come prepared. Bring the NFHS Rule book and have the MHSAA 2024-2025 Soccer Rule Supplement printed off and ready to go in your bag. Or have it easily accessible on your phone. 

For offside decisions, the first thing to consider is whether the attacker is in the offside position. In other words, was the attacker closer to the goal line than the ball and the second-to-last opponent? If we do not have a player in an offside position, we do not have an offside offense. 

We also need to be mindful of who plays the ball to a player in the offside position.  If a player touches or plays the ball to a teammate in the offside position, there is an offside offense. If it is a player who deliberately plays the ball to an opponent in the offside position, there is no offside offense.

In this video, the blue attacker near the corner flag plays the ball into the penalty area.  The white defender then plays the ball out of the penalty area, and it goes to the same blue attacker, who is in an onside position when the white player plays the ball.

This is a clear example of no offside offense, and the assistant referee incorrectly raised the flag for an offside offense as the ball was played to the attacker by an opponent. Furthermore, the last play by the blue team was the player who received the ball at the end. The ball simply went back to the blue player who kicked the ball.

Focus on the facts – namely, the position of players from both teams, and who plays the ball to whom – will help ensure that the correct decisions are made with relation to offside.  If in doubt with an offside offense, it is safe to keep your flag down and not signal for an offside offense.

It is also important to note that the referee had a role to play here. He had a clear view of the play by the white defender. The flag should have stayed down to begin with. But the referee needed to wave the AR’s flag down in this situation.

You have probably heard of Stopping of a Promising Attack, or SPA. Unlike DOGSO, there is no “checklist” for SPA. When it comes to DOGSO, we must have all four criteria met. But for SPA, there is no such list. However, S+S+O is a criterial oftentimes used to judge SPA. S+S+O stands for “Speed,” “Space,” and “Option.”

“Speed” refers to the speed of the attack. The faster the attack is, the more promising it is. “Space” means how much space is available for attackers to play the ball. If they have little to no space because space is occupied by defenders, it is not very promising as an attack. However, if there are not many defenders occupying space, the attack is more promising. The last item, “Option,” means how many options are available for attackers. If there is only one option to attack (e.g. dribble the ball), then it is not as promising as having two other attackers who could reach the penalty area.

With these criteria in mind, have a look at the clip below.

In this clip, the attacker with the ball has just started his attack with speed. The black defender is barely able to keep up (and this is why he committed a foul). In front of the attacker is open space. Between the attacker and the goal is only one defender (Black #9) and the GK. Other defenders are moving back, but at the moment of the foul, there was much space. In addition to keep dribbling the ball forward, the attacker also had three teammates running to the penalty area.

Although a SPA situation can happen without all S+S+O met and a SPA could happen without not all S+S+O met, in this clip, there was a clear example of SPA. The referee correctly issued a caution for SPA.

Soccer is a physical sport. We, as officials, need to recognize that while the ball appears to be going out of play, we cannot let up and lose focus. When the game is heating up, players are more likely to take risks to get their desired outcome.

In the clip below, you will see a white and blue player chasing after a ball heading towards the touch line. The blue player is challenging for the ball with a white player in front of her.  The blue player trips the white player while the ball is heading out of bounds and several yards ahead of the white player.

As you see in this video, the official calls a foul. This is a good example of the referee being focused on the play and calling a foul even though the ball may be heading out of play. If the referee had paid attention only to the ball, they would have probably missed the foul. If they had let the guard down because there would be a throw-in restart, they would have probably missed the foul. However, if we do not call this simple foul, the attacking team would take the restart after committing a clear foul.

This is also a good example of having good awareness and movement to recognize the nature of the foul and the potential flashpoint. Moving in quickly to a potential challenge we see coming, being there when the challenge happens, and calling this foul prevents things from escalating. 

In the clip below, the goalkeeper standing at the top of her penalty area handles the ball just outside the penalty area. Although goalkeepers are able to handle the ball inside their penalty area, they are not allowed to do so outside.

An incident like this is not an easy one for the referee to observe, especially when the referee is far from the incident. But an assistant referee who is properly positioned should be able to identify the location of the ball. Is it inside the penalty area? Or is it outside? Where did the goalkeeper touch the ball?

In this situation, the AR should raise the flag and signal for a foul by waving it. Once the referee blows their whistle, the AR should signal by pointing the flag in the direction of the kick. The referee who cannot tell the position of the ball exactly will have their suspicions confirmed by the AR’s signal. This cooperation will ensure the handball is called appropriately by the referee team.

On this match, the AR correctly signaled for a handball offense and the referee was able to award a freekick to the attacking team.

It is not always easy to keep up with attackers who are sprinting toward the goal. Or if the game has been physically taxing to assistant referees, they may find it difficult to always remain aligned with the offside line near the end of the game.

However, assistant referees’ top priority is to maintain alignment to make correct offside decisions. Judging if an attacker is in an offside position is one of the decisions that the referee fully relies on the assistant referees.
In the clip below, you will notice that when the black team player kicked the ball to their attacker, the attacker was in an offside position. However, the assistant referee was not at all aligned. 

As you see in this video, the assistant referee was at the extension of the 40-yard line when the offside line was around the 48-yard hashmark. The attacker was clearly offside. However, the assistant referee was not positioned properly to make a correct offside decision. This incorrect decision led to a goal.

This video is a good example of how assistant referee positioning is critical in making correct offside decisions. 

Free kicks require that the defending team move 10 yards from the restart location. But if the attacking team wishes to take a quick free kick, they are able to do so. As the referee, don’t be so quick trying to get defenders to that distance that you prevent the attacking team from making a quick restart. If the attackers immediately set the ball and take a free kick, let play continue unless there is a reason to disallow a quick free kick.

In the video below, there is no attempt by the attackers to take a quick restart; and the referee goes into the process of setting the defensive “wall.”

Note, however, that on a field marked with American football lines, he does not set the wall at the full 10 yards. Take care to do this to give the full benefit of the restart to the attackers. Note, too, that several defenders immediately stand within a yard or two of the ball. The referee, as he was walking off the yardage, could have kept the ball in view and encouraged those defenders to back away. Defenders will often claim that the opponents “did not ask” for the distance, but they should be reminded that they are required to give it. Failure to do so when asked, or repeated instances of encroachment, are deserving of an “Unsporting Conduct” Yellow Card for unnecessary delay. You may also see that before signaling to restart play, the referee moves to a good position to observe the free kick itself, any early movement from the wall, and potential areas where the next phase of play may occur. Do your best to make sure that all restarts are conducted fairly and do not disadvantage the offended team.

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 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. The assistant referee's awareness and positioning enabled assisting 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.