Question Number: 20258

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/14/2008

RE: Metro/Select Under 14

Thomas of Chilliwack, Canada asks...

This is a call that I thought I got right, but the Club Head Coach was giving me heck about.

Second half, 1-1 of U-14 Metro Girls. The ball is in Blue's penalty area, with a the ball comming out from the center of the PA sideways towards the sideline. A Red attacker had her back turned, looking like she was going to run towards where the ball would land. The ball was quite low, but still high enough to make it difficult to get a header on.

At this point, a Blue defender ran with a lot of speed (from about 3-4 meters behind the Red attacker) and jumped up, overtop of the slowly moving red attacker, and just reached the ball (which by now was just in front of Red) knocking Red onto the ground with force. I immiediatly blew my whistle and pointed to the penalty mark for a PK. My reasoning was this:

1) The ball was ahead of the Red attacker.
2) The Blue player had a lot of speed, and before comming close to the ball, had jumped up and knocked the Red attacker down.
3) The Blue player was not careful to avoid the Red attacker at all. Her defence consisted of 'But she was in my way!'
3) In terms of the LOTG: Penal foul for charging. Offence inside the PA, so DFK upgraded to PK.

I know this is kinda one of those 'gotta see it' situations, but from what info you have, what do you think?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

In other words the defender got to the ball by knocking the opposing player out of the way?.
I am curious what grief could the coach be giving you?
It is ok to wipe out an opponent as long as the ball is the ultimate prize?
I see no reason to doubt your call given your verbal description of the events.

She was in my way is a very funny statement given a player can tactically position themselves to best play the ball it is to their advantage, the opponent must adapt and contain, not smash their way through.

While physical contact can occur on a legit challenge to make contact with the ball, coming in over the top driving forward through the opponent is not a fair challenge.

IF the defender had gone straight up and the opponent undercut her as in backing up while not looking then there is reason to see the foul the opposite way

Sometimes we get two sets of eyes focused on an incoming ball and both try to play the ball and there is a collision. There can be no determined foul if the referee holds the opinion both are somewhat at fault since neither was aware of the other and neither CHANGED the body language to brace for impact. Those are key components, the eyes, where are they looking and how is the body setting up for an impact.

The force and manner of every challenge is a consideration in the safety of an opponent. As in all things relating to a foul the opinion of the referee as to careless, reckless or excessive is his domain alone. Your match, your decision, your reputation!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I've had reason to tell a player, after calling a charging foul, 'Just because he was in your way, doesn't mean you can barrel through him.' I've never had the opportunity to say, 'You can't vault over her.' From your description, I'm surprised you didn't add a USB reckless-foul caution or even send-off for SFP.

In these situations, you have to consider whether there was impeding immediately before an illegal charge. I have a simply rule of thumb: You can't move to get into a player's way, but if you happen to already be there you don't have to get out of her way.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Coaches who give referees a hard time regarding any call do so at their own peril.
A friend related an incident this weekend where he was the referee, and on a corner kick he was positioned on the goal line (not normal positioning, but he was there for a reason) and saw the whole ball cross the goal line, before it was quickly kicked out by the defense. The AR was blocked. He called the goal, and was subjected to tremendous abuse from the players and from the coaches who loudly asserted he was cheating (They were from a state north of here)! Could he have thrown out the coaches? Certainly. Should he? Most likely, because now they'll try the same tactic with a younger or less experienced referee and their behavior was beyond the pale and totally unacceptable. Should he have sent off the player who echoed the coaches' complaints? Yes. Could he have gotten by with only a caution? Yes, but only if he dismissed the coaches.
So what does that have to do with your situation? Do not allow coaches to get into your head. When they start with the 'giving you heck' business, remember you are all that stands between them and a young referee. Don't leave the youngster to the wolves, please?

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

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