1. Fouls and Misconduct (12)
Online Training Script:
Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 9 Referee Course.
Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the small sided and recreational youth game.
This presentation focuses on Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct.
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Grade 9 Referee Course
Small Sided and Recreational Youth Training

2. Against the opposing team On the field of play
Fouls – CRITICAL INFO
Committed by a player
Against the opposing team
On the field of play
While the ball is in play
Online Training Script:
Law 12 covers two specific areas, fouls and misconduct.
A foul is an unfair or unsafe action that meets the following criteria: the action is committed by a player, against an opponent or the opposing team, on the field of play, while the ball is in play.
If these four requirements are not met, the unfair or unsafe action cannot be a foul, but it may still be misconduct.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

3. Types Direct free kick fouls Result in a DFK (or PK)
Indirect free kick fouls
Result in IFK
Online Training Script:
There are two types of fouls and each type reflects the kind of restart used.
A direct free kick is awarded if one of the ten direct free kick fouls is committed and a goal can be scored directly from the taking of the restart.
An indirect free kick is awarded if a player commits one of the eight indirect free kick fouls.
The ball must be touched by another player before a goal can be scored from an indirect free kick.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

4. 10 Direct Free Kick Fouls Online Training Script:
The ten direct free kick fouls are separated into a group of seven actions and a group of three actions.
For the first seven of the ten direct free kick fouls, the referee must determine if the action has been committed carelessly, recklessly or with excessive force.
These fouls include:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

5. Two “Groups” of DFK Fouls
Careless, Reckless or with Excessive Force
These are DFK Fouls any time they happen
Kicks or attempts to kick …
Strikes or attempts to strike …
Trips or attempts to trip …
Charges …
Jumps at …
Pushes …
Tackles …
Holds …
Spits at …
Deliberately handles the ball
Online Training Script:
The ten direct free kick fouls are separated into a group of seven actions and a group of three actions.
For the first seven of the ten direct free kick fouls, the referee must determine if the action has been committed carelessly, recklessly or with excessive force.
These fouls include:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
Today we’ll just be teaching the names of the fouls – we’ll get into much greater detail later in the course. Each of the groups of words (except deliberately handling) should include the words “an opponent” – indicated by the three dots.
Avoid getting into lengthy discussion of what is or is not kicking, pushing, etc. Advise students to save those for later.
Note: … means “an opponent”

6. Direct Free Kick Careless Most common Reckless Less common
Yellow card and/or warning
Excessive force
Rarely seen
Red card
Online Training Script:
Most direct free kick fouls committed during small sided and recreational youth games will qualify as careless and are typically the byproduct of players who are still developing and learning the game.
When a player commits one of these seven direct free kick fouls carelessly, referees should not hesitate to stop play to promote a safe environment for the players.
Referees must also be aware that certain actions and behaviors should be punished more severely when appropriate.
If a player commits one of these fouls in a reckless manner, the player should be cautioned and issued a yellow card.
If a player commits one of these fouls using excessive force, the player should be issued a red card and sent-off.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

7. Infringements Direct Free Kick to opponent
At the location of the offense
DFK by defense in penalty area = PK
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:
As the name implies, a DFK foul results in a direct free kick to the opposing team.

8. 8 Indirect Free Kick Fouls
Online Training Script:
Indirect free kick fouls are also separated into two groups.
There are four fouls committed by field players and four fouls specifically committed by a goalkeeper.
This first group includes:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

9. Two Categories of IFK Fouls
IFK Fouls by goalkeeper
IFK fouls by any player
Release of ball within 6 seconds
Release ball from hands then use hands again
Use hands when ball kicked by teammate
Use hands when ball thrown in by teammate
Dangerous Play
Impeding the progress of an opponent
Preventing goalkeeper from releasing the ball
Play stopped for misconduct
Online Training Script:
Indirect free kick fouls are also separated into two groups.
There are four fouls committed by field players and four fouls specifically committed by a goalkeeper.
This first group includes:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

10. Infringements IFK to opponent At location of offense
Subject to special rules in goal area
Online Training Script:
Unlike the specific requirements for a foul, misconduct can occur at any time, at any location and by any player or substitute.
When misconduct takes place, the referee is responsible for taking action and issuing either a yellow or red card based on the offense.
Misconduct is often absent in the small sided and recreational youth game but referees must be aware of these offenses to make sure the Laws of the Game are properly enforced.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

11. Misconduct Online Training Script:
Unlike the specific requirements for a foul, misconduct can occur at any time, at any location and by any player or substitute.
When misconduct takes place, the referee is responsible for taking action and issuing either a yellow or red card based on the offense.
Misconduct is often absent in the small sided and recreational youth game but referees must be aware of these offenses to make sure the Laws of the Game are properly enforced.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

12. Caution - Yellow Card Unsporting behavior Dissent
Persistent infringement
Delaying the restart of play
Failure to respect required distance
Entering or reentering without permission
Deliberately leaving without permission
Online Training Script:
The seven cautionable offenses that can result in a yellow card include unsporting behavior, dissent by word or action, persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game, delaying the restart of play, failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a free kick, throw-in, or corner kick, and entering or leaving the field without the permission of the referee.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

13. Send Off - Red Card Serious foul play Violent conduct Abusive language
Spitting
Denying goal scoring opportunity with hand
Denying goal scoring opportunity with foul
Receiving second yellow card in same game
Online Training Script:
The seven sending off offenses that can result in a red card include serious foul play, violent conduct, abusive language, spitting, denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberate handling, denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity by committing an offense punishable by a free kick or penalty kick and receiving a second yellow card in the same game.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

14. Dealing with Coaches Online Training Script:
Although the Laws of the Game do not permit team officials being shown cards for misconduct, if play is stopped for the purpose of dealing with a coach or other team official who is acting irresponsibly, play is resumed with a dropped ball from the location of the ball when play was stopped.
It is important for referees to know the local rules of competition as displaying cards to coaches and team officials may be allowed in some instances.
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

15. Review Question What are the requirements of a foul?
Action committed by a player against an opponent or opposing team
Action committed on the field of play
Action committed while the ball is in play
All of the above
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

16. Review Question
What is the correct restart if a player trips an opponent?
Indirect free kick
Direct free kick
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

17. Review Question
What is the correct restart if a player kicks an opponent?
Indirect free kick
Direct free kick
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

18. Review Question
What is the correct restart if a player pushes an opponent?
Indirect free kick
Direct free kick
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

19. Review Question
What is the correct restart if a player commits dangerous play?
Indirect free kick
Direct free kick
Online Training Script:
Classroom Instructor Talking Points: