Question Number: 14305

Character, Attitude and Control 10/28/2006

RE: College

J of Williamstown, Vermont USA asks...

I am concerned about the excessive violent play of a few varsity girls soccer teams in my state. For example, in a playoff match yesterday 3 players from team MR were sent to the hospital with serious injuries. A defender from the opposition caused two of them inside a 10 minute span,she rec'd a yellow card for the first and a no call for the tackle from behind which caused a concussion. A number of fellow coaches are becoming vocal about this, but we are told "soccer is a contact sport." That is so condescending. They are allowing it to be a collision sport. (actually it's the same argument so-called hockey experts used to say about violent play) I do not see this type of play in Div 1 College or in the US WNT. Does this go on everywhere else as well? I thought officials were to protect the skilled players from the thugs? We still use 2 officials in HS games, playoffs included, do other states use 3? Is my state just behind the rest of the soccer country, or am I just being a little naive? Thanks J

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This happens when referees lean on the word trivial and the word dubious instead of what the present Laws of the Game require of him, "Enforces the Laws of the Game". This is his primary duty. There is somewhere around 130,000 US Soccer referees in the country and a great majority of them remain at the entry level in grade and ability.

I have stopped refereeing because when I enforce the Laws of the Game I am the bad referee, my colleagues allow bump and crunch rather than skill and cunning. For last 19 years I made a decent, though frugal, living carrying a whistle. ALL of that time I was faced with referees who thought The Game had changed and because of that they needed a whistle anti-acid. I have whistled matches off and on since before color TV. I have had three players injured and all were the result of unseen pitch irregularities. Not many of my colleagues can say that.

The Game has changed only because referees do not have the courage to enforce the Laws of the Game, they bend to assignors, coaches, parents and other referees.

I am truly sorry Vermont referees are allowing what seems to cause injury. They need to play a match and see what it's like to be on the receiving end for a while.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Soccer is a contact sport, but the players are not to play opponents. Laws or you high school rules say that if a player makes contact with opponent before ball on a tackle, it is a foul. If a player plays an opponent by grabbing the opponent, pushing the opponent down, leaning a shoulder into an opponents back, etc, then this is a foul play. Referees are to protect players and be aware of skilled players that might be targets during the match.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

3 officials would help but they still have to have the guts to protect players by enforcing the Laws of the Game. While it is possible to cause serious injury with no foul play I agree we are seeing way too many fouls go uncalled. Unless, of course, the ball inadvertently glances off the back of a players arm, in which case the whistle seems to blow almost every time.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi J,
it is always disheartening to hear of players injured while playing soccer. While we can try and blame the officials it is also a responsibility of the players and coaches teaching these players of the respect one SHOULD have for the opposition and the game.

It is interesting you who feel too little is called are TOLD by WHO? soccer is a contact sport. It is ironic that same argument is used by those when too much is called.
We recieve other questions that detail how too strict referees are ruining a competative match with too many cards. I do not enjoy pointing the finger of blame as it can break off in most any direction. To FIX the problems requires ALL who participate to meet in unison and discuss. To set into motion standards of acountability and a method to monitor and educate all . Codes of conduct, CLEAR repercussions and a continual scutiny of events.

For a referee, foul recognition is as much an art as it is science and experiance is not easily substituted. Coaches have as MUCH responsibility to educate their players not to recklessly or excessively endanger the opposition. The excuse well the referee is not the brighest crayon in the box so lets see what we can slip by him is a hollow chant! All a referee can do is be of integrity and willing to learn from experiance be it their own or others the correct application and understanding of the laws of the game and the spirit they are enshrined upon. Fair Play and saftey for all who particiapate is a mantra we all could chant. Cheers.