Refs Need Love Too

There are specific signals and mechanics required when implementing the new five second laws for throw-ins and goal kicks. The loss require a Signal with the whistle and a visual five second count overhead.

This call should never be a surprise. Everyone should be able to here when the count is beginning and see it as the second countdown. I think it should be part of every team check-in for the first few months of the year. It will take some time for everyone to get used to it.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Many of the new Laws of the Game for 2026/27 deal with match tempo. I think it’s been a massive improvement during the World Cup, eliminating negative gamesmanship and dark arts late in matches. This has always been a flashpoint and has been virtually eliminated with these new changes.

It will take some time to get used to. My next video will deal with the mechanics and protocols for how and when to begin the count for throw-ins and goal kicks.

Let me know if you have any questions!

It’s a widely believed myth that a throw-in needs to travel a certain distance or be thrown with a certain degree of force. I’ve seen tons of referees whistle this as a foul throw with no basis in law.

Slow or gentle throw-ins are just as legal as a long throw. What is illegal, is stopping the throwing motion and dropping the ball onto the pitch.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Throw-in laws are pretty simple for throw-ins. No reason to make up any considerations. Let me know if you have any questions.

The procedures for a proper throw-in are relatively straightforward. For some reason, people try and put further definition as to what is and is not legal that is not in the Laws of the Game.

Just because the throw-in is ugly, or the ball doesn’t come perfectly at a zero degree angle over someone’s head, or the ball spins sideways when it’s released, isn’t grounds for a foul throw.

We will cover more throw-in guidance, myths and procedures in the next video.

This will be my 11th match of the World Cup. Nothing feels remotely close to this. Yes it is a World Cup semifinal, but it is like two gods of the game in battle.

Regardless of who wins, I hope that Ismail, Corey and Kyle have a great game! There’s no doubt it will be intense!!!

Who do you think will win?

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ismail Elfath a few years ago. He is a master of player game management. Linked to full episode in comments.

We’ve all been there! Usually, I forget my markers. I’m pretty good about remembering my whistle and cards. Is there something that you normally forget? Have you ever done something like this?

There seems to be some misunderstanding as to the boundary on the arm that defines handball. The law specifically calls out the bottom of the armpit rather than the sleeve on the jersey.