When I Center, my instructions to my ARs, regarding defensive fouls in the Penalty Area, is this: when you see something in the PA that appears to be a PK-foul.....look to me before giving the 'Pop & Shake'......I will indicate (through pre-arranged signals & words) whether I had a clear angle & evaluate that contact as, at worst, "Trifling" and thus a 'no call'; ALL 'trifling' fouls should be 'no calls'. IF, however, I was screened and again give the pre-agreed upon indicators that I'm looking for their help........my advice is then this: "Make sure the defender 'got their money's worth'......that it's a $79.95 Foul from Macy's, and not a 99 cent special from Dollar General."
To your point, Soccerfan63, if a player doesn't want to be called for a PK foul, DEFEND BETTER / SMARTER! If there is indeed a foul in the Penalty Area that DESERVES to be called, SHOULD be called, and the Center doesn't make that call.....are we not then "deciding the outcome", by NOT 'getting it right'? I would add that having played Keeper in my youth & early adulthood......without ANY DOUBT......every PK I have ever whistled came on a play where said defender made a completely horrible choice against that attacker. The bottom for me as an Official is two-fold: "Get It Right".
I will add this point RE 'officiating mechanics', that is the approach of FIFA / USSF, that many of us carry over to NFHS play:The AR is NOT supposed to call fouls that they are certain the Center has had a clear view of, but rather ONLY those we are reasonably certain he did not see from his angle. In essence, therefore, contrary to what many non-Officials / Spectators / Coaches / Players and other life forms might THINK.......those 3 Officials do NOT have "equal responsibilities" when it comes to calling fouls. We're not ref'n basketball......