I Got Ball, Ref!

What Is… Careless? Reckless? Using excessive force? 10/18/20122

Careless The player has shown a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge, or he has acted without precaution A player who is careless in making or attempting contact has committed a foul This is usually a simple miscalculation of strength or a stretch in judgment of the player 10/18/20123

Reckless The player has acted with complete disregard for the danger to or consequences for his/her opponent A player who plays in a reckless manner has committed a foul and must be cautioned for unsporting behavior A player who is reckless has clearly played outside the norms of fair play 10/18/20124

Using Excessive Force The player has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring his opponent A player who uses excessive force has committed a foul and must be sent off for serious foul play A player who uses excessive force has played totally outside the bounds of normal play 10/18/20125

Fair or Foul? Two opponents are shoulder to shoulder, each challenging for the ball. The defender pokes the ball away from the attacker with his foot and leg in a normal position relative to the ground and play. The defender makes contact with the ball first, then the attacker stumbles over the defender’s leg, falling to the ground. Fair – Why? 10/18/20126

Fair or Foul? A defender is facing an attacker and makes a play on the ball, striking the ball just as the attacker is pushing the ball to the outside to go around the defender. The attacker trips over the ball, falling to the ground. Fair – Why? 10/18/20127

Fair or Foul? Two opponents are shoulder-to-shoulder challenging equally for the ball. The Red player steps between the ball and the Blue player’s foot, but touches the ball first. Blue falls over Red’s leg and foot, falling to the ground. Foul – Why? 10/18/20128

Fair or Foul? The attacker is on a fast break up field after beating a player on the defending team to the ball. As the attacker is running up the touchline, a defender challenges for the ball by slide- tackling the attacker from behind. The leading foot clearly makes contact with the ball first, but the trailing foot hits the attacker’s calf causing the attacker to fall to the ground, grabbing his calf in pain. Foul – Why? 10/18/20129

Scenarios 10/18/201210

Scenario #1 You are the referee in a GU-16 match. About midway through the first half, the Red team is building an attack in the middle third of the field. As Red #2 is dribbling downfield, Blue #3 challenges her for the ball. Blue #3 makes contact with the ball with her left foot but at the same time, pushes her left hip into the right hip of Red #2 dispossessing her of the ball. What action should be taken? What is the rationale for this action? 10/18/201211

Scenario #1 Answer Recommendation Whistle for the foul and restart with a direct free kick for the Red team Rationale Even though Blue #3 got the ball first, she “hip checked” Red #2, pushing her off the ball. This is a careless charging foul. 10/18/201212

Scenario #2 (part 1) You are the referee in a BU-19 match. This game has been hotly contested with neither team dominating the game. There are 6 minutes left in the match. Blue #21 has just successfully tackled the ball away from Red #3 with a legal slide tackle. Blue #21 dribbles the ball about 20 yards toward the touch line toward your assistant referee. Blue #21 then turns up field and is about to kick the ball to a teammate when Red #3 challenges by slide tackling for the ball. 10/18/201213

Scenario #2 (Part 2) Red #3 successfully touches the ball first with his lead foot but at the same time wraps his trailing leg around the back of Blue #21’s leg. Red #3 then raises his lead leg up and twists his body causing his legs to close around the opponent’s legs in a scissors movement. Blue #21 goes to the ground face first. You and your assistant referee both indicate the foul at the same time. What action should be taken? What is the rationale for this action? 10/18/201214

Scenario #2 Answer Recommendation Whistle the foul and issue a red card to Red #3 for using excessive force on the tackle (serious foul play). Restart with a direct free kick for the defending team. The referee should run toward the spot of the foul giving a loud, long whistle. The referee should also be aware of potential problems with both teams. Check for injury and summon a trainer or coach if needed. The referee may consider checking with his AR to make sure they are on the same page. Rationale With the game as heated as it was, the referee needs to take decisive action and issue the red card to Red #3. Even though Red #3 got the ball first, he used excessive force in doing so. 10/18/201215

Scenario #3 (part 1) You are the referee at a GU-19 match, a rivalry between two Regions. The last time they played, Red defeated Blue 5-0. This game is into the second half with Red winning 6-0. It has been a tough match with Red clearly dominating. Red #6 has just received the ball from a pass at the top of Blue’s penalty arc when Blue #4 challenges for the ball by slide tackling from the front. 10/18/201216

Scenario #3 (part 2) Blue #4, with cleats up, raises her leg so that her foot comes over the top of the ball but catches enough of the ball to deflect it away from Red #6. Red #6 sees the cleats up and moves aside to safely avoid the cleats but into the path of Blue #4’s trailing foot. Red #6 is tripped by the trailing foot. The ball goes to Red #12, and you play the advantage. Red #12 shoots the ball which goes out of play after hitting the crossbar. What action should be taken? What is the rationale for this action? 10/18/201217

Scenario #3 Answer Recommendation Playing the advantage was appropriate. The referee should now caution Blue #4 for unsporting behavior (recklessly fouling) and restart with a goal kick. Rationale It is legal to slide tackle, but when a player comes in “cleats up” there is a high probability of harm. In this scenario the cleats did not make contact with attacker but the defender played in a dangerous manner by exposing her cleats. A caution is appropriate for the reckless “cleats up” tackle and subsequent tripping foul. A send-off is not appropriate because the cleats never made contact with the opponent. 10/18/201218

Summary Anytime a challenge for the ball is made by two players, the referee must evaluate the challenge – Was the contact made with the ball before (or even at the time) contact is made with the opponent? – Is the challenge made in a careful manner with only the amount of force necessary to dispossess the opponent of the ball? – Did initially fair contact turn foul? – Was the contact careless, reckless, or made using excessive force? 10/18/201219