Advantage

U.S. Soccer Federation Referee ProgramGrade 7 Referee CourseAmateur Adult Training

Laws of the Game

o The Referee:oAllows play to continue when the team

against which an offense has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalizes the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time

Examples

Example

o Red team player takes a free kick but then touches the ball again before it has been touched by another player

o Red team player’s second touch plays the ball to blue team player

o Blue team player begins to attack the red team’s goal

o Apply advantage

Example

o Red team player takes a throw-in but has both feet completely within the field of play

o The ball goes to blue team player who begins promising attack to the red team’s goal

o Advantage not appliedo Throw-in awarded to blue team

Example

o Red team player plays the ball to a teammateoOffside positiono Involved in active play

o Blue team goalkeeper collects the ball and then distributes to begin counterattack

o Apply advantage

Considerations we will discuss

o Game control versus game flowo 4 P principleo Wait and seeo Misconduct

Control and Flow

o Game controloEnforcing the Laws of the Game

o Game flowoTempo and pace of the game

Balance

o Apply advantage to allow for game flow while also allowing for the option to stop play for game control

o Vital to the amateur adult gameo Develops with experience

4 P Principle

o Possession of the balloControl by team or player

o Potential for attackoAbility to continue a promising attack

o PersonneloSkill of attackers, numerical advantage

o Proximity to the opponent's goal

Wait and See

o Assess the situationo Wait 2-3 seconds to see if the play developso Signal for advantageo If the attack doesn’t develop … Stop play and

award a free kick for the original offense

Misconduct

o If you apply advantage to misconduct:o At next stoppageo Issue misconductoEnsure the misconduct is clear to both

teamso Serious foul play offensesoNo advantage unless there is an obvious

and immediate goal scoring opportunity

Assistant Referees

Review Question

o When applying advantage, what factors should the referee consider?

o Possession of the ballo Potential for attacko Proximity to the opponent’s goalo All of the above

Review Question

o Can effectively applying advantage assist referees with managing game control?

o Yeso No

Review Question

o Does applying advantage only relate to fouls and misconduct?

o Yeso No

Review Question

o Should the referee apply advantage if the fouled player’s team is able to retain control of the ball as part of a developing or promising attack?

o Yeso No