Question Number: 22097

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/28/2009

RE: AYSO Boys U12 Under 12

Mike of Chino Hills, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22069

It was mentioned that a player can challenge from any direction. Recently, in a Boys U12 game, I had a Blue player slide straight-on towards the front of the opposing player. The ball was at the opposing players feet. The Blue player slid with both feet first, but kept his feet low. He made contact with the ball first, but his studs did hit the ankles of the opposing player on the follow through. The contact did not appear to be hard, as the opposing player did not fall, or show any sign of being hurt.

Still, I was taken aback by the straight-on tackle, and whistled foul. I had never seen a straight-on tackle before in a game, and the whole thing seemed careless to me. I told the player that I did not like the directon and the follow through. Coach complained that it was a good tackle. Are such tackles okay?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

At the U12 age level, this sounds like a good preventive call, for an attempted trip or attempted kick. Getting the ball first does not excuse anything and everything that comes after. If the coach is approachable, you might mention that anything harder than the love-tap that was given would be considered misconduct. I am very wary of U12 rec players attempting slide tackles. Most of them haven't yet acquired the skills necessary to do it safely every time.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Two footed tackles with studs up are rarely a good tackle! They bloody well should scare you all the speed and mass of the tackle are concentrated in the tips of those studs. In this one it appears it was flop in front instead of a follow through or riding over top of the ball. You are correct to be concerned and diligent in determining the careless reckless or excessive form of such tackles is certainly a necessity.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
From what you describe IMO you made the correct call. I would not allow any tackle that was made with the studs showing where they made contact with the opponent even touching the ball first. With contact on the player this is a direct free kick every time and if contact was not made but close to the player I would be awarding an indirect free kick for dangerous play.
Also I would take into account the pitch conditions prevailing at the time as sliding two footed from the front on a slippy pitch has no control. It is certainly careless and moving to reckless which is then deserving of a caution. Safety is one of the primary concerns for referees and this type of challenge does pose a risk.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Fronton tackles are legal. Getting the ball first is a requirement but a 2 footed studs up tackle is rarely, if ever legal. So what if the player got the ball first? Did he keep his feet down after contact with the ball? No. He continued on and his studs ended up on his opponent's ankle. This is at the minimum, careless. You would have been perfectly right to caution the player for a reckless tackle, given that the studs hit the opponent. Anytime studs make contact like you describe, it's a foul and possibly a caution or send off. Good call!!