You're kidding me ref!
(or words to that effect)

Show me where it says that!

What are you calling?

The last ref let us do... (insert illegal act)

Are there any referees out there who have not heard at least one of those comments?

....We didn't think so.

With the number of 'experts' out there, it is a little surprising that there is still a shortage
of referee instructors and assessors. After all, these 'experts' know the game inside out.

....Or do they?

There are a whole set of indoor 'myths' which are often more easily heard by the
officials, especially because the Assistant Referee is for the most part stuck between the
two benches. Lets tackle a few...

Show me where it says I have to tuck my shirt in!
Well, page 7 of the Rules of Indoor Soccer (ROIS), if you must know. Unlike the outdoor Laws,
where 'shirts tucked in' is no longer mentioned, ROIS lists as part of the compulsory equipment
of a player:
• a jersey or shirt, tucked into shorts.

Hey, they scored! You have to let one of my players out of the penalty box.
Not always so. The ruling for the relief of the balance of a minor time penalty states:

If a team has fewer players on the playing surface than the opponents, because one or more
players are serving time penalties, and that team is scored upon by the opponent, then:
•...... if the earliest unexpired minor time penalty is the last or only time penalty being served by
........a player, that player shall return to the field.
•.......if the earliest unexpired minor time penalty is the first of consecutive minor time penalties,
........the balance of the earliest unexpired minor time penalty shall be relieved, and the next time
........penalty shall begin.

So, if you think those through, a team could be down by two players due to penalties, and, depending
on which of the penalties was the 'earliest', all that would happen after the goal was scored, is the
time for the next penalty would begin. Expect some heat from the benches!
Most times though, teams ask for a player to be released when the manpower on the field is equal,
and the rule quite clearly states 'fewer players on the playing surface'.

Goalie - "Why are you counting ref? I haven't picked up the ball yet".
The ROIS state that it is an offence if a goalkeeper
• touches the ball with his hands at any time after having had the ball under control and
unchallenged for more than 5 seconds
The ref is counting so that the goalkeeper will know when he can no longer pick up the ball.

Why are you penalizing me for being too close? They didn't ask for the distance!
Because... there is nothing in the ROIS (or outdoor Laws for that matter) that say they need
to ask. The whole idea of a free kick is that it is indeed 'free'. There are only two occasions
where the distance of 15 feet does not need to be enforced - if the kick is taken closer than 15 feet
to the nearest goalpost, or if a 'true' quick free kick is taken and the attacking team wishes to restart
play immediately to take advantage of the situation. In all other cases the referee is expected to
enforce the distance, and penalize anyone who does not retire 15 feet immediately.

The kicker can't run up to a penalty kick.
This was probably a 'one off', but half a bench full of players and a coach thought that the penalty
kick had to be taken from a standing position beside the ball!?

What do you mean, watch your changes? The ball is out of play.
There are only 3 stoppages where the 'substitution procedure' does not apply -
Penalty, Injury and Goal, otherwise known as a 'PIG'. At all other times, teams must follow the
substitution procedure, or run the risk of being called for 'too many players'.

Players who step inside the 'restart line' in front of the referee's bench can be replaced by a substitute.
Afraid not. Rule 3 states - ' a player is considered to have left the field if he is inside the restart line,
between the ends of his team's bench area, and as long as he is not interfering with play.'

You can't call 'boarding' if there was no intent to board, or if it is shoulder to shoulder.
One of the biggest myths of the indoor game, even with some referees
The ROIS give a very clear 'Definition of Boarding' - Any contact by a player that forces an opponent
to hit the perimeter wall that in the opinion of the referee is careless, reckless or using excessive force,
will result in the offending player being sent off for boarding. No matter how many times you read that,
the words 'intentional' or 'deliberate' will not suddenly appear. And shoulder charges, which may be
permissible if done legally in the middle of the field, become an offence if the boards are involved,
as one of the penal offences in Rule 12 is 'boarding'

These are just a few that we hear. If you have any more ' Indoor Myths' to add, please email them
to Dave O'Neill, and they will be added.