Question Number: 18519

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/11/2008

RE: U-12 Rec Under 13

Tony of powder springs, ga u.s. asks...

My question is in regards to law 12 and what is careless, reckless, or excessive force. I know it is subjective. Can some of the Refs review the video and give their opinion on the physical play? I came across the following video of a local high school game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM95uoSj4Ek&feature=related

I'm still relatively new to the game, but I thought this game seemed extremely rough. I've been teaching my U-12 girls that you can lean into a player and "push" them off the ball (with your shoulder), but you cannot charge into them and "knock" them off the ball.

If I'm wrong about that, I'd like to find out so I can coach the girls not so much on "how rough you can be" but more so on "what you can expect"

thanks, Tony

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

This video is an edited series of events, with no continuity. We can't even tell if any fouls are being called, nor if there is any misconduct being handed out. We certainly are not in a position to second-guess the referee that was on the scene.

As far as "how rough you can be" or "what can you expect", that will vary from referee to referee. And from match to match for the same referee. I sometimes find that if I've had a few older or more advanced games, and then the next game is a U12 rec, I have to quickly recalibrate my "foul meter". If that doesn't happen quick enough, there may be a few calls that I don't make. Conversely, when I get my next U15B (the barbarians), I may call things a bit too tightly, resulting in pleas to, "Let us play."

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I agree with Mr. Voshol. It all depends on the match and competition level. Some matches are more intense than others. What is accepted in one match, may now be accepted in another match. Also it will vary from referee to referee. Generally playing the player and not the ball is against the laws.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

In my opinion there were several charges, pushes and trips within the clip but as my colleagues point out we see it only in bits and pieces. There were several collisions that looked ok as equal opportunity situations or good hard tackles but then the camera angle and video quality is not one of the referee perspectives.
I will note that the girls did not seem to be retaliating despite the contact so perhaps their fairplay guidelines were less fair then some but ok that day.
In a fight for possession of the ball there often is additional body or arm movement other than the shoulder to shoulder legal charge we are often on about. Ramming a shoulder to the back or chest of an opponent is not permitted but running into the shoulder with your back or chest and then falling down because you are off balanced is not the same thing
When we say that a referee has his match, his decision, his reputation we also point out that coaches and players must adapt to that referee's way of dealing with the situations that arise. A referee is a playing condition much like the weather or the pitch surface. Hor or cold ,smooth or bumpy you adapt and play. He is a tall blade of grass, a corner flag, or a goal post or crossbar, as such part of the field of play sometimes you get a good bounce other times you do not.

As a coach you show them the correct way to slide tackle or meet a head on tackle where the opposing foot makes mirror contact. Use the shoulder to knock an opponent on her keester by seeing the outside foot down and the inside foot raised. If the girls get careless reckless or excessive it is the referee's task to pull them up on it!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Tony what you should teach is this: It is incumbent on the player making a challenge for the ball to do so in a fair and safe manner. The person challenging is obligated to do so in accordance with the Laws. The Law says a charge becomes foul play when the ball is not present or it is careless, reckless or excessively forceful.

The other side of this is a player must be allowed to demonstrate skills without fear of injury by an opponent who is just trying to prevent, by any means, that person winning a goal or fairly beating him.

Teach your players to play fairly and when they do the referee will see only the foul play of your opponents. I realize this is an ideal world solution because there are those out there who will teach how to cheat, harm, injure and win at any and all cost.

Regards,