Position Paper

Position Paper: Disallowed Goal From a Passback Violation

Here is a new position paper from US Soccer: Disallowed Goal From a Passback Violation

Position Paper: Striking

Position Paper: Striking Striking is not defined in the Laws of the Game.  Referees must therefore apply commonly accepted usage and common sense in identifying the actions which would properly be called striking.  As a foul, striking consists of a player making (or attempting to make): direct contact with an opponent; on the field during [...]

Position Paper: Rescinding a Card

Position Paper: Rescinding a Card (Euro 2008) Prior to play restarting following the display of a card, the referee can revise his decision about what he observed on the field, re-evaluate the significance of the player action, or receive additional relevant information from another official (either or both  assistant referees or the fourth official).  As [...]

Position Paper: Passback Violation

A new position paper talking about the passback violation: Passback Violation Position Paper In this example, the offense must be properly understood in the following terms: • The ball was clearly kicked by a Toronto defender • The ball was neither deflected nor accidentally misdirected — that is, the pass was deliberate • It is [...]

Position Paper: Offside on Corner Kick

This position paper reminds referees to be mindful of offside on a short corner kick. http://www.ussoccer-data.com/docfile/OffsideOnCornerKick.htm

Position Paper: Allowance for Time Lost

This position paper explains how to indicate additional time, and that this is a minimum amount of time to be added which can’t be reduced once indicated. http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/Allowance_for_Time_Lost_Position_Paper.pdf

Position Paper: Advantage and the Penalty Area

This position paper talks about advantage in the penalty area, and the importance of waiting to see if advantage will materialize before whistling for a penalty kick. http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/AdvantageAndThePenaltyArea.pdf

Position Paper: Match Reports and Discipline

This position paper talks about how match reports involving misconduct must be more detailed. Although all aspects of the referee’s match report must meet high standards of clarity, accuracy, brevity, and pertinence, those sections involving misconduct require special attention, and reporting on acts of misconduct leading to a send off merit the highest concern. http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/MatchReportsAndDiscipline.PDF

Position Paper: Objects on the Field

This position paper talks about how to deal with objects on the field such as streamers or balloons thrown from the stands: http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/ObjectsOnField1.pdf

Position Paper: Padded Goalposts

This position paper explains why padded goalposts are not allowed. Despite these understandable concerns and good intentions, U.S. Soccer cannot approve the use of padding on goalposts or crossbars in affiliated matches http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/Padded%20Goal%20Structures%20_2_.pdf