The Differences Between Men’s and Women’s Soccer How do we as referees accommodate these differences? Women’s Soccer Team from the 1930’s

The Men’s and Women’s Game: Are they the same??? ► --No. To successfully referee women’s matches a referee must understand some fundamental differences between the male and female soccer players.

1. Loyalty to team and teammates … ► --women tend to develop very strong interpersonal relationships. ► --teammates often become very close friends, much like a second family.

To illustrate this point: ► --girls often share much more than their soccer lives with one another and there is genuine care and concern between members on a team. ► the next time you watch a women’s match, notice that at an injury, many of the injured player’s teammates will gather around to check on her status.

To illustrate this point: ► --Conversely, in a men’s match, unless the injury is very serious, rarely does a teammate come over to check on the fitness of a teammate. ► --Usually there is only a crowd around the water bottles as the injured player is being attended to!

Loyalty to team and teammates … ► --While male players can and often do play alongside teammates that they dislike, in a women’s team this is often very difficult and creates a great deal of interpersonal, emotional dissention. ► --A women’s team with players who do not get along off the field is very unlikely to be successful on the field.

What Does This Mean? ► 1. Female players tend to take a hard foul committed against a teammate as an attack against their entire team. ► 2. Women “feel” fouls suffered by their team members. ► 3. Female players can have VERY LONG memories regarding rough treatment by opponents.

What Does This Mean? ► --Refereeing men, however, has taught us that men will very often retaliate for a hard or unfair challenge almost immediately. ► --So, watch for the male player’s eyes and body language immediately after physical play for an indication of any violence to come.

What Does This Mean? ► --Women, on the other hand, are much more patient than men to “seek revenge.” ► --It is not uncommon as a referee to deal with an incident in a match between opponents only to discover later that it is retribution for a clash (or dispute off the field) which may have occurred more than a year ago.

2. Management Considerations: Pre-game Observations: ► --Consider which gender you are refereeing and what that entails. ► --Discuss tactics with the rest of your crew that will help you deal with gender issues on the field. ► --Should you run differently? ► --How should you interact with the players?

3. Differences In Play ► Men: --Faster paced level of play --More fouls—lower body --Lots of ankle and leg tackles --Long air balls

Differences In Play ► Women Level of Play: --Slower paced --Less fouls—upper body --More tactical --HIP tackles! --Run and play with arms extended— handballs!

Differences in Play ►M►M►M►Men --More Vocal – Directed to referee --Harder tackles --Retaliate quickly and alone! --Show emotions immediately

Differences in Play ►W►W►W►Women -- Less Vocal – More Sarcastic, indirect to referee -- More apologetic -- “get you later !” w/help of teammates -- Less likely to show emotions --More positive with their teammates, even when mistakes occur.

► Men Game Control: -- Faster paced –Entire field -- Less space needed -- Holds with elbows -- Handling - Obvious

Differences in Play ► Women Game Control: -- Slower paced – Compact -- More space needed -- Holds with hips -- Handling – Knee jerk reaction—Chest trap?

4.So What Do Coaches Want to See From You as a Referee? ► -- This could not only depend on the gender of the players, but the gender of the coach as well!

4. So What Do Coaches Want to See From You as a Referee? ► Men Coaching Men: ► --Want us to allow the game to flow-- ► More advantage ► “That was not a foul!” ► “Let them play!” ► “This is not a women’s game!”

4. So What Do Coaches Want to See From You as a Referee? ► Women Coaching Women: ► Want the game called the same as the men’s game—however expectations of less contact ► Insulted by having game officiated differently—call the fouls, give the cards! ► Want officials to be sensitive toward the players – no yelling/cursing

4. So What Do Coaches Want to See From You as a Referee? ►M►M►M►Men Coaching Women: ►C►C►C►Call the foul ►“►“►“►“That was a foul!” ►“►“►“►“Call it tighter!” ►M►M►M►More paternal/protective

How Do We Referee A Women’s Game With These Differences In Mind? ► Positioning is very important!

Positioning ► During Active Play: ► --Generally referees can expect to run wider in women’s matches as play doesn’t move up and down the field quite as rapidly. ► --Running a wide diagonal (and staying out of the middle of the field) also decreases your chances of being struck by the ball. ► VIDEO!!!!!! VIDEO!!!!!!

Positioning During Active Play ► --Estimates are that the distance covered by a referee is similar in a women’s game compared to a men’s, and the work rate of the referee should be comparable since it is necessary, in general, to position yourself wider during active play.

Positioning ► Goalkeeper Punts/Goal Kicks: ► --It is recommended that referees position themselves opposite the Assistant Referee in the SAME half of play as the goalkeeper or team kicking the ball because the ball ordinarily will not travel into the opponent’s half of the field.

Positioning ► Throw-Ins: ► --Require observation early in a match to determine how far the ball can travel. ► --Many female players have the ability to throw the ball as far as men. ► --Women who utilize the “flip throw” may be able to launch the ball 40 yards or more in the air.

Positioning ► Throw-Ins: ► --So, the referee’s distance down the field from the point of the throw-in is dependent on how far the referee predicts that the ball can be throw.

Positioning ► Free Kicks: ► --Free kicks also require consideration for referee positioning. ► --Male players have much more success on free kicks using their physical strength while in women’s soccer, free kicks regularly offer intricate passing or great position. ► --In addition, it has already been noted that women’s games are made up of many more short passes than you would normally see in a men’s match—this can be attributed to the physical strength differences, but also to the pleasure women seem to derive from playing and connecting with their teammates.

The Difference Between Men’s & Women’s Soccer ►D►D►D►Do you Personally officiate Differently? ►D►D►D►Do you call more fouls in women’s games? ►D►D►D►Do you have an expectation of less physical play?

A Recap ► Truly Understanding the differences between the men’s and women’s game mean: ► Learn the differences in styles of play. ► Learn the differences in methods of game preparations.

Difference between Men’s & Women’s Soccer ► Learn the differences in body structure, mental approach to the game; ► Learn the differences in intensity, emotions and level of each game; ► Learn that soccer is the same game, only played differently!

Last Thought … ► No Matter which game you are doing, remember that we get paid the SAME amount to do the SAME job!

The Difference Between Men’s & Women’s Soccer ► QUESTIONS???????