Question on the advantage clause

[wardtc]

OK, spring is just around the corner. The season is about to start. Since I am still relatively new to reffing, I wanted to screw my head on correctly about the advantage clause. I sure do appreciate your help.

In the event a defender causes a foul, the referee calls advantage, the ref should wait two -three seconds to see if the advantage develops. If it does not, say the attacker looses control of the ball, is diverted from his attack, etc, then after that two to three seconds the ref calls the original foul, and deals with the restart as normal, right?

So if it was a slight trip and the attacker looks like they are going to be able to play through it - call advantage. If right after that the attacker stumbles (as a result of the trip), the foul is called...etc.

If the attacker does play through it and five seconds later stumbles (not from the trip) then too bad. No foul called, they got the advantage, and lost it, right?

If the trip happens, the advantage is called, but the attacker just quits (thinking he should have gotten a foul, or didn't hear the advantage call) then that too is just too bad, right?

Should advantage be limited? In other words, does the use or overuse of advantage lead to problems later in the game?

Is it a good idea after allowing advantage, for the ref to have a word with the offender at the next available opportunity? Should it be a quit word, or loud enough for all to hear? If so how long is too long after (sometimes the play can go on for a while yet)?

Are there any questions I haven't asked, that I should be asking?

Thanks again for your help

[Nevadaref]

You seem to have a decent grasp of this concept.

Something to consider is having a slow whistle for the foul and this will allow you to see if advantage develops, then you can holler out "Play on, advantage." You should try to avoid having to call the foul and award the free kick after you have given advantage. This is something that you will develop a better feel for with more experience.

As for having a word with the player, would you have done so if advantage had not been involved? In other words, if this player committed a normal foul and you whistled, stopped play, and awarded a free kick, would you have talked to the player? If not, then why would you talk to him in the case in which advantage was given? He heard you call out the advantage, he knows that he fouled, as does everyone else in the area.

Of course, after advantage is given, you certainly may go back at the next stoppage and caution or send off the offending player, if you believe this to be necessary.

[wardtc]

Great! Thanks for your help.

And yes, you are right on the comment to the offender. If I would have spoke to him/her about the foul, I would do that as normal.