Question Number: 12558

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/14/2006

RE: High School High School

Steve Davis of Grant, Alabama USA asks...

This isn't a rules question but me asking experienced refs for advice. I have refereed at the high school and AYSO levels for four years. This season, I have seen a huge increase in what I call "hand checking." This is where a defender will mark an opponent by placing their hand or forearm on the opponent's back. While this does not violate the laws, such contact has led to a great increase in pushing fouls due to the contact. Defenders almost instictively push the opponet away when the ball comes withing playing distance. I and my fellow refs have, of course, issued cautions for those pushes that were hard or reckless. I, however, have come to view any push in the back as inherently dangerous to the player's safety and as such should warrant a yellow card to the offending player. Would I be within my authority as referee to caution any push in the back even if the push is not overly hard or out of control. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Careless, reckless or using excessive force is how we're supposed to judge pushing. Two careless pushes can be viewed as persistent infringement of the Laws/rules, that's your weapon should you choose to use it.

Tell the players from the outset you'll not tolerate anything like you describe. Tell them by blowing the first and every push. That settles how you win the argument. So how does the referee determine if the players consider this pushing "Fair Play"?

Look at their reactions, do they seem to care? If they don't you shouldn't!!! BUT, you should watch much closer after adopting this approach because, sooner or later, somebody is going to have enough of it and protect himself. The trick for you is to see the instant before the "Damnitthat'senough" light comes on and get involved. That's really a challenge for the referee because he must be near every interaction between opponents. He must run. He must be very good at what he does. Or, of course he can caution every push and stop it that way...

Oh by the way, "inherently dangerous to the player's safety" is not a cautionable offense just yet.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This is NOT basketball. Hand checking may also be viewed as holding which does not have to be careless in order to be called. I think it is an annoying tactic taught by coaches trying to circumvent the Law. It also drives opponents nuts. I agree with you on pushes in the back. At higher levels of play you have to be wary of a player taking a dive but at lower levels, pushes in the back are unacceptable and can result in injury.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The reach out and touch me or the drop the arm in front and slingshot me into a better position are two of the most insideous tactics that premate the game. It is amazing how much a shove here and there will cause a player to inadvertantly kick the ball out of play yet the opponent get the throw in or goal kick or corner kick.

You as referee will set a standard of fairplay just as the players will try and tell you through actions what they regard as fairplay. You of course must decide what constitutes reckless or excessive but consider the match from the player's perspective . You as referee can try to read that but they in turn must accept you as the match condition for that day of what will fly as ok and what will not. We are constantly told not to punish doubtful or trifing affairs yet the nagging pin pricks can ignite a major bleed if not paid sufficent attention.

I will verbally interact in a preventive mode "hands off, drop the arm, shoulder to shoulder" only to try and let the players know I see it and still await their take as to what is acceptable. Of course the novel idea of calling all pushes pushes is another consideration absolutly correct in law but could absolutely bring the game to snail pace or create a fair and level playing field? Cheers