Ask The Ref: Episode 2 - Seven questions from VYSA State Cup Final

Well, our first ever Ask The Ref video feature was a success by our standards. Over 350 views, and enough feedback from qualified referees to pretty much settle the matter, or at least educate all the readers/viewers as to the decisions that went in to each example.

We didn\'t receive any news video submissions, so I pulled one from a recent game I was involved in and have more questions. Most I think I know the answer to, but others I\'d really like some help in understanding if the right thing was done. This not spilled milk crying, our team lost despite dominating possession and goal-scoring chances. The opponent defended amazingly, scored a pretty goal when we fell asleep defensively, and deserved to win on the day.

Remember, this is not a witch hunt on any individual, team, coach, or player. These videos are meant to educate all involved with the game, so the game improves for all.

Questions asked in this video (copy and paste this into your replies in our forum here):

1. Was there an initial foul committed by the white team on the shoulder charge as black was about to head the ball clear?
 

2. Was there a foul by black immediately after? Explain the foul if so. (this isn\'t he only foul called where a player doesn\'t go down and maintains possession of the ball. Even if a foul exists, when do you stop play if the players doesn\'t actually go down, or lose possession? )
 

3. Did the black team commit a foul on the head ball that dropped to the forward?

4. Offside? (Hard to tell because the camera  and with the central defender being off screen temporarily, but you can use the top of the 18 as a guide to view a line across to the side line. If offside, why did the AR not stop and raise the flag immediately as it was clear the player was going cut off the central defender for part of the play, but reconciling where she was as the camera zooms out, it is reasonable to assume she was no further forward at the time the ball was kicked)? Also, comment on where the AR was looking when the ball was kicked and if that is correct?

5. Is this a foul at all, or just incidental contact as both players are watching the ball. if a foul, is it cautionable?

6. This looks like a foul for sure, but is it cautionable - or unfortunate contact when a fair play was being made. Also, though the rules don\'t mention it at all, what if any decisions to you make when considering a 2nd yellow for a player knowing it will change the outcome of the game.

7. Of all, this is the most serious question, as it related to the safety of players. Seeing clear head-to-head collision and both players dropping like rag dolls, should play stop immediately, or does the ball have to be played out first?