Question Number: 15321

Mechanics 4/29/2007

RE: AYSO Under 12

ArtK of Culver City, CA USA asks...

I did a boys U12 spring league game today -- not very competitive, but a nice chance to practice and keep in shape for an upgrade this fall. Everything went well, except for one issue.

Starting in the 2nd half, I had a couple of Green players complain (politely, mind you) about one of the Blue players, that he was pushing and using foul language. One of the Green coaches went off at this Blue player as well, but I got him shut down quickly.

The problem is that I never saw the Blue player misbehave -- I don't doubt that he was, but he was clever enough to avoid detection. He was a defender on my side of the field and, once alerted, I started going deeper into the corners by a few yards to see if I could hear him. Shortly after that, he switched sides, so he may have realized that I was watching him.

So, the question is: Any advice on how to deal with a player like this? I kept wishing that one of the Green players would exaggerate if he got pushed, but they never did, and I'm not about to condone diving, so all I told the Green players was "I'm watching." Unfortunately, paying too much attention to one player means missing other stuff. Argh!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

You bet I do Art! This is one of those must have briefed your assistant's before the match kind of thing. A number of years ago I was helping out in a tournament and another referee mentioned to me he had experienced some problems with one of the players in my next match. Super! Time to try something and see f it works.

I mentioned a specific signal to my assistants that indicated they were to go to the other end of their touchline. Their amazed looks proved how much they had seen this one. So, ole Joe Binatz started acting up and I spoke with him. Great. Next time I see him he is on the other side of the field acting up... It was at a stoppage so I gave the signal and they changed ends. Play started and I changed diagonals three or four times so I could be with ole Joe Binatz. I chased him all over the field, he got his three fouls and his persistence booking and started behaving. Life got better... After that match the California Director of Assessors asked why I changed diagonals so often. He was happy with my answer because it handled the problem and didn't take undue attention from the other things going on.

Now, you say changed diagonals? How do you do that. Easy, I used to do a left backs diagonal every once in a while just so there wouldn't be and surprises if I had to do one. Got so I alternated diagonals every other match. I drove my assistants crazy, but I never again worried about getting caught having to do something unfamiliar!

I ask you all, ever had to run the opposite diagonal? Seriously unfamiliar territory, UNLESS you practice it regularly!

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Question for ArtK - were you running a 2 man system on this game? The way you described it I am unsure of what system of control you were using.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 15346