Question Number: 14029

Mechanics 10/3/2006

RE: combo of recr & select players on school teams High School

Lee of South Ok, B.C. Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 9105

I followed the thread of questions/answers for #9105, #12553 & #12611 and now most of my queries about '50/50' airball challenges seem to have been explained. Ref C. Fleischer; recently I'd been concentrating on knowing & judging fair tackle criteria (I thought that 4 factors needed to be in place & if one was amiss, the tackle could be regarded as unfair....ball within playing distance, contact with the ball before person, one foot on the ground, shoulder to shoulder..* hip to shoulder possibly if disparity in size!) Your "or" in the "He may not be moved from that ground unless there is a challenge involving the ball and contact with him is made after contact with the ball OR the contact is shoulder to shoulder, with at least one foot on the ground, and the ball is present for immediate play" has got me thinking about basic fair tackles again, much less my current topic that I'm trying to identify better...fair tackles in airballs.

I don't believe those criteria are actually listed in the LOTG, are they in 'advice to refs'? Any suggestions on reading & visuals for basic & in air challenges foul recognition. I had the pleasure of having John Neilson as my ref instructor on my first ref clinic 2 yrs ago, little did I know that he was the fellow making those great 'grey Area' type training tapes. I remember him advising us to look at where the players were looking...skyward on the descending ball, or intent on the opponent before any collisions.

I have noticed more air challenges in the teen boys games, so I'm aiming to learn the nuances involved. I've picked up much advice from your forum & I've put it to practice most successfully, the most recent being an attacker who tapped the ball around a standing-still defender, then plowed him over. The crowd seemed surprised that the free kick went to the defense. Players suggested that the D had 'obstucted'. This was an opportunity to explain that impeding ('obstruction/interference'the hockey players call it) doesn't involve contact and that anyone is entitled to be standing on a patch of grass and not get charged. About a month ago, my own son broke his collarbone (you could hear the crunch in the air) versus a big Seattle boy in the last half hr of his Y league season. They both got their heads on the ball, but my guy got a foul for having his elbow out (our sideline concurred with this), adding insult to injury... pardon the pun.

How about a scenerio, pretty typical...two lads have their eyes on the impending descent of the ball, one in front of the other, both backing up to adjust landing location. The one behind slows/stops to get a fix on the almost arrived ball, the forward guy backs into him more for his chance to get that key spot just as the ball arrives. So now they both go up, but the rear guy has to lean a bit forward to reach the ball & heads it, but slithers down the back of the forward guy...without putting his appendages on the opponent? If a foul happened...did the front guy 'hold' or backwards 'charge' the rear guy even before the ball arrived? or did the rear guy stand on his ground, but when he went up, he encroached & contacted the player now somewhat under him after clearing the ball? Does it make a difference if they both got their heads on the ball? This also happens in front of the net but with more bodies in the air & usually more dramatically angled due to deparate D's & diving attackers...more likely a foul//disparity is identified/magnified?

How should one handle the jumpers who go up to block by veering & turning & almost launching themselves in front of their opponent but no contact happens(or opponent with ball makes evasive action & plays on). If the ball carrier doesn't lose advantage/possesion, should play continue & warn/talk to flyer later. Does one consider it an attempt to charge/hit/tackle/push and call it as a foul (or yell advantage, if appropriate) or warn that it may be considered reckless the next air charge attempt & card worthy next time, contact or no? When coaches & teammates yell at their own players such as these 'Don't jump!' are they doing so because they feel it's wasted moves that takes that player out of the play? sort of like 'diving in'/committing on a tackle too soon OR are they reminding their fellow player to not do it because they see a habit that will bring potential fouls?

I've found that the highschool males wish few foul calls in midair challenges (& probably mostly in midfield now that I think of it...less at stake perhaps) though they expect the calls made for on-or-over-the-back fouls during corners, freekicks & throwins, etc. This forum has also taught me to verbalize firmly to players about "hands off!" prior to re-starts such as those above. I sometimes tell them this is not basketball! (and I inform players to stop shadowing keeper).

The past few youth tourneys (Vanc area) that I've reffed have only supplied club ARs (usually an asst coach or dad) who do only touchline in & out balls. Our Interior community soccer is blessed with 3 scheduled trained officials from U11 recreational and up.(the downfall to this is no mini refs so development of younger refs with less opportunity to middle, only do ARing until older) The highschool level however just use some kids from the sideline roped into it so I give them basic intructions & a way we go. I wish it were different, as I personally love ARing, especially at the fast pace & intensity of the older boys & men's teams. In the meantime, until I can sell them on the benefits of a fully qualified team of officials, I'll continue to be offside judge as a ref. I've now done about 25 games this way this year so I've worked out some positioning aspects that help my view. One being.. standing outside of field over the goalline to side of goal on corner kicks. One thing I've noticed about my getting to the offside lineup on a freekick near the goal, is that my 'wall' management goes all to heck as I've left the ball placement spot prematurely to see offside better & the D seems to encroach more. Any thoughts on balancing that with allowing the fouled team to take a quick kick still? Our assoc is looking for an older book that was all about refereeing without 'linesman'. Does anyone out there know what the title is and where one might find a copy? Being a singular ref at highschool pace & keeping up to play (okay, maybe 3 yds behind) & within sight of offside decisions & sweeping your head across field & back has this 47 yr old mom on her toes & luving the fitness aspect! I know, I know, you don't ref to get fit, but once you are keen & reffing, you do get fitter! You know that you're keeping pace when you hear coaches shouting to their midfielders that the ref shouldn't be passing you guys! One more mens tourney this long weekend & our soccer season is in hiatus until Spring Break. Now it's hockey reffing time. I'm brand new there & have found a forum for ice officials too. Look out! Once I'm thru the FAQ & done a few games, I'll probably have to wade in.

Thanks for all of the advice once again,

Lee

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Lee,
a lot to digest and a suggestion my friend. Less is more and ask a single question being all over the map even if the answers are related it is difficult to follow.

First off if you see John Nelson tell him Richard and family says hello. John was my instructor as well and you are correct he was and likely still is a great guy ! His tapes of Anything wrong, the Grey areas among others are based on many incidents of past world cups or international play. There are some foul recognition tapes as well. Best ask him for his list and explain what you are seeking to find. No one other than my colleague Ref Fleischer has as good a grasp of offside than John. That said was this a note to let us know your state of mind or were you seeking an answer of some sort?

Foul recognition is an art form as much as it is learned material based on what you think you know, on what you see, from where you are. You can watch video tapes in high speed and think one thing, watch it in slow motion and go oh my gawd!!? You can change the angle of view to see a dive on one side and a clear cautionable foul from the opposite side. This is the same foul viewed at different speeds and different angles.

The clues of eyes and body language as John indicated to lean FAIR or FOUL?
Arms out mode is it to ward off the undercut a foul by the front player backing in or push off as you go over the top a foul by the back player from behind???
Jumping up for the ball or jumping into the player while going up for the ball???
Avoid being too close, being too far, getting screened, go wide, oh thats too wide
Rotating to the left of the ball
When possible anticipate the expected contact by the speed of play and tactical positioning.
Creating positional mechanics to get the view into the the critical area by being in good enough shape to be in the right spot at the right time to SEE the right things
To become experienced and intelligent enough to decipher what you see with how the laws ask you to evaluate takes time and as I say over and over a referee with integrity sees what he sees even if he sees it different than you or I

Different age and skill levels mixed with those very attentive and those there to kill time can make for testy situations if those participating are not all on board with whatever or who ever is operating the program. I found high school teams to be very competitive as often the metro players from two or three age groups would be within a certain region.

Refereeing as a single official you sacrifice position on offside to stay with play. I tell the teams I am fair not perfect! On offside UNLESS I am 100% convinced it is , no call will be given. So running about with arms in the air asking to go to the washroom will be a fruitless waste of time. Go wider as a single referee to place more players within your vision.

On throws I am often at the touchlines just down the line if we have no sun in the eye issues. Move while the ball moves to get that angle of sight and follow the progress of play.

If the sun is on your left than go wide to that side and play, look in from over there, with the sun at your back.

You run in and out in a weave pattern more than a diagonal and although you will run more, chasing balls deep into the corner and balls out of play you will need to pace yourself and anticipate a great deal. Stay out of the centre circle and look to avoid passing lanes when counter attacks begin if you are in advance of play wider is better than too close to the ball

You go to the goal line to watch for the corner expect a quick counter attack to leave you in the dust from time to time but vary that position to the penalty arc so those players who twig that as one set of eyes you have but one view. So shoulder checks as you leave the area are always a good thing.

When you stop play for free kicks or give a dropball for a keeper punt out add a few more seconds for them to hold onto the ball as you move out to a better position in anticipation for the kick.

The adjustments for single officials are in recognizing the game is still fun , you show effort, understand the laws, smile and let them play soccer intervening if it appears they have forgotten.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Lee

Hi Lee: welcome to the only profession where perfection is expected at the start and steady improvement is expected thereafter. You have found the need to wonder if what you do is correct and ask if there are any other ways to look at something.

I?ll start with a basic. A tackle is always for the ball and it is usually done with the foot. A charge is making room for you to play the ball. A charge may happen before a tackle because the ball is there to be played.

Air balls -- same thing. We know that one can charge chest to back when a player is obstructing or, these days, impeding. Is what you see when two players jockey for the ball just a charge? Is the ?charge? a back to front or a front to back action? Is the ?charge? accidental contact because both are looking up at the ball? These are things to consider when trying to sort out what you see in front of you. Remember charging is one of those things that needs to be careless, reckless or excessively forceful before it is foul play. Looking at it in this manner may give you a better level of tolerance during a match because if both players are intent on the ball they may not see each other.

Ironlady refereeing is a huge exercise in energy management and risk assessment when the ball is in play. Solo you are going to see more places on the field than you would with help, fact of life. You must assess each situation as if arrives and these are some of the things to consider. Is there a nasty player involved? Is there a possibility of offside? Is there a chance of a quick counter attack? The answers to these questions are on the field based on tactical alignments and player dispositions, but they are hidden in your visions blind spots. The astute referee looks around to find answers to these questions when there is little chance of foul play where the ball is. IT AIN?T AN EASY THING TO DO.

When the ball is no longer in play the same applies for risk assessment but energy management becomes something few referees realize they are deficient in. Think just a second, the ball goes to touch for a throw-in and your risk assessment has shown the possibility for a quick throw to a previously offside attacker. What do you do? Stop and make a good signal for a throw-in? OR make another risk assessment ? is me not signaling going to change the restart? Is me NOT stopping and NOT signaling but continuing my run in anticipation of the throw-in better energy management? OOOHhhhh, never thought that one out did we? How much energy does it take to stop, face the thrower, make that perfect signal, watch the throw-in, face to the new direction then accelerate to catch up take as opposed to keeping the energy up by NOT stopping?

Ironlady stuff again. Offside, before flipping the coin tell the captains every other close offside situation will get a whistle. They won?t have a clue what you said, they won?t know what you think is close and they won?t know when you start the every other count. The won?t bitch either, and you just do what you always do when solo and you have to figure out offside, your very best guess. They?ll buy it.

Working with a three referee crew still requires risk assessment, especially with a free kick close in. Two sets of eyes need to see offside, handling in the wall and the ball over the goal line JUST A BIT. Think about that one a second, times up. Offside is something you guess at a lot solo, let the linesman take offside or the goal line whichever is more important at the time. You manage energy by NOT taking the goal line unless there?s a junior prom going on and a chaperone is needed, then go stand next to the rubber-uppers.

A book that tells me how to go-it-alone on the football pitch, wish I?d seen that one. I just had to learn things the old fashioned way; do ? fail; do ? fail; do ? Aha! Best thing I found was the imaginary rectangle laying between the two penalty areas is a good place for the solo referee to be, anyplace outside that rectangle and I?m going to get way behind ?cause they are faster. I need to sense where they must go to be successful, be on the way there before the ball is hit and know what is at my six [behind my back].

Have Fun ? Regards,