100% Misconduct: Tactical and Red Card Fouls 2009 Referee Program Directive USSF February 2, 2009

What does the defender do when he’s beaten by an attacker? Why is he committing that foul? At what age does fouling to stop an attacker become a conscious effort?

Objective: The referee will be able to recognize and punish tactical fouls intended to impede or break down a promising attack.

Examples of these types of fouls Grabbing the shirt ObstructFouling a player positioning to receive the ball Trip

Characteristics of Tactical Fouls USUSALLY IN ATTACKING END of the FIELD NUMERICAL ADVANTAGE TIME TO DEFENDPREVENT the BALL and/or PLAYER FROM ADVANCING

Characteristics Cont. The DEFENDER KNOWS HE’S BEAT MINOR NATURE of the CHALLENGE

Referee Mechanics Distance and angleGet to a spot to see both players Use the Assistant Referee as another set of eyes Expect soft contact to hide the intent. This is Gamesmanship

Dealing with the Tactical Foul YELLOW CARDUNSPORTING BEHAVIOR If ADVANTAGE GIVEN, CAUTION at the NEXT STOPPAGE of PLAY

SUMMARY Tactical fouls are designed to cheat the game and/or disrupt attacking play Players work hard to hide tactical fouls and make them difficult to for the referee to identify Tactical fouls often occur in the wide channels of the field so it is critical that ARs be aware and ready to assist Tactical Fouls REQUIRE a Yellow Card

RED CARD TACKLES Objective: The referee will know and be able to list the 3 types of challenges that escalate in terms of severity. Law 12—Fouls and Misconduct

CARELESS Simple foulThe player acted without caution Lack of attention Lack of consideration

RESPONSE Direct free kick No disciplinary sanction is required

RECKLESS Player acted with complete disregard to the danger or consequences Clearly outside the norm for fair play

RESPONSE A CAUTION is REQUIRED

USING EXCESSIVE FORCE Player has far exceeded the necessary use of force Danger of injuring the opponent The challenge places the opponent in considerable danger of bodily harm

RESPONSE A RED CARD is REQUIRED

RED CARD COMPONENTS Speed of play and the tackle Intent Aggressive naturePosition of the tackler Legs/follow up action

RC Components Cont Opportunity to play the ball Late/behind Atmosphere of the game

SUMMARY Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct has 3 level of severity The words used are critical in defining the referee response Careless fouls are the common fouls that result in a Direct Free Kick (or Penalty Kick) No discipline required Reckless fouls are aggressive and outside normal play YELLOW CARD Required Using excessive force endanger the opponent RED CARD Required