1. Above the Shoulder U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Online Training Script:
Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 7 Referee Course.
Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the amateur adult game.
This presentation focuses on contact above the shoulder.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 7 Referee Course
Amateur Adult Training

2. Importance Player safety is key Increased frequency Speed Physicality
Severity
Online Training Script:
As with all levels of play, player safety should be the referee’s primary concern.
The nature of the amateur adult game lends itself to frequent contact above the shoulders.
The speed and physicality of the amateur adult game can also increase the severity with which players make contact with the hands, arms and elbows.
This frequency, combined with the potential danger from this type of contact, makes monitoring contact above the shoulder an important consideration for referees working the amateur adult game.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

3. Indicators FIRE Frustration Intimidation Retaliation
Establishing position
Online Training Script:
The acronym FIRE provides officials with some common reasons and indicators for contact above the shoulder.
Factors such as frustration, intimidation and retaliation can lead to dangerous and violent contact so officials should be diligent in not tolerating this type of behavior or actions.
Unless confessed by the player, referees will not the know the exact intent behind a player’s actions so these factors are simply meant to improve an official’s awareness of what might lead to this type of contact.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

4. Tool vs. Weapon Online Training Script:
After having a better understanding about why contact above the shoulder may be prevalent in the amateur adult the game, the next step for referees is to evaluate the severity of this contact and take action accordingly.
To accomplish this, referees should judge the severity of contact by determining if the arm was used as a tool or a weapon.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

5. Tool Used for balance Normal body movement Not moved toward opponent
In position before contact is made
Jumping with arm making contact
Jumps up
Not jumping up and into opponent
Foul and misconduct
Online Training Script:
The arm can be considered a tool when being used for balance or used in connection with a natural body movement.
It also assumes that the arm is not being moved toward the opponent and was in position prior to the contact being made.
When jumping to contest for the ball, the referee must also assess if the player is jumping up and not jumping up and into an opponent while using the arm.
It is important to note that using the arm as a tool does not mean that a foul or misconduct hasn’t been committed.
Referees should consider awarding a foul and issuing a yellow card if contact is made.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

6. Weapon Used with excessive force Swung toward an opponent
Makes contact with soft surface
Face or neck
Jumping with arm making contact
Jumps up and into opponent
Leads with the arm
Red card
Online Training Script:
Whenever the arm is used in a manner that displays excessive force, it is considered a weapon.
This also holds true if the arms is swung toward an opponent or if contact is made with a soft surface such as the face or neck.
The arm is also considered being used as a weapon if a player jumps into an opponent or leads with the arm when making contact.
When the referee deems a player to have used his or her arm as a weapon, a red card is mandated.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

7. Evaluation Did the player jump up and into the opponent?
Did the player lead with the arm?
Did the player move the arm toward the opponent?
Was the safety of the opponent endangered?
What was the result of the contact?
Was excessive force used?
Online Training Script:
The tool versus weapon approach is a useful guideline for referees and the following questions can be used to assist officials when making this determination.
If the referee deems the answer to any of these questions to be yes, then the player has used his or her arm as a weapon and should be shown a red card.
If the player hasn’t clearly used his or her arm as a weapon, the referee must then use best judgment to determine if the result of the foul should be deemed as careless or reckless.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

8. Focus Contact during the run of play Attacker relieving pressure
Defender impeding attacker
Aerial
Restarts and free kicks
Off the ball
Mass confrontation VC
Online Training Script:
Some examples of scenarios where the referee will be tasked with using this criteria include aerial challenges, when a stationary attacker swings his or her arm back towards an opponent who is challenging them or when a defender makes contact with an attacking player who is attempting to run by in possession or pursuit of the ball.
Contact above the shoulder can lead to or take place during instances of game disrepute or mass confrontation.
Some common examples of this contact include head butts, jabbing fingers into the facial region, grabbing and pulling hair, or open handed or closed fist contact to the face or neck.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

9. Aerial Challenges Increased frequency Clearances Long balls Free kicks
Restarts
Players
Speed
Strength
Online Training Script:
In particular, officials working the amateur adult game must be prepared to evaluate and deal with aerial challenges.
Not only does this type of challenge happen frequently but the amateur adult players involved make these incidents important to closely monitor.
The speed and strength of the players can make these challenges difficult to accurately assess at game speed for the entire referee team.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

10. Review Question
What type of challenges most frequently involve contact above the shoulder?
Aerial
Tactical
Excessive force
Tackles from behind
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

11. Review Question
Is the arm considered being used as a weapon if a player jumps up and into an opponent or leads with an extended arm?
Yes No
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

12. Review Question
Does using the arm as a tool mean that the player should always receive a yellow card?
Yes No
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13. Review Question
Does using the arm as a weapon mean that the player should always be issued a red card?
Yes No
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points: