Question Number: 22213

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/11/2009

RE: select/club Under 11

paul of ludington, mi mason asks...

I see alot of parents who go ballistic when I dont call a handball everytime it touches a hand or arm. I live by the rule of Hand to Ball-yes/ Ball to hand/no. I have to see some intent like a flinch to play the ball or something that in my judgement says 'ya, he play that ball to his advantage by the use of the hand or arm. I once had a ball run from the hand right up his arm and over his shoulder. The kid froze, he had a horror look on his face and I was 12 feet from him. I yelled 'play on', now the ball rolled to the opponent and so there was no advantage. All this in less then 3 seconds. I always scream no advantage. This is because using a two man system, I am usually on the parents side, so I have to do a little bit of teaching while refering. Here's another one, a kid gets ready to throw the ball in. Parents dont really understand that unless that kid has both feet over and onto the playing side of the touchline, he's good to go. I have had other ref's say, 'they cant touch the touchline with their feet while throwing in. Am I wrong on this one.
And I am going to look at rule12 again. I have always thought tripping was a DK. I look at it if the kid missed the ball and tripped, its a trip. What about slide tackling from the side or back. Lets say , he clears the ball using either style, but trips afterwards. Did he trip or did the other player fallover his foot. The kid is on the ground from behind, Did that kid create a dangerous play. There is about three things that come to my mind. I have only a couple of seconds to decide.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

I do hope if you are a USSF certified referee that you do NOT wear your badge when running a dual on youth games because duals are not a sanctioned method of conducting a game in USSF!! If something were to happen in your game and heaven forbid a lawsuit comes, your insurance which comes with your USSF registration will not cover you. Just FYI...

My colleagues have dealt with all of your questions in their usual excellent style. I would only add on your question about tripping to remember that any of the DFK offenses must be against an opponent (except for deliberately handling the ball - that just has to happen) and that attempting to trip is just as much an offense as an actual tripping. Perhaps I am misreading your question, but a player cannot trip himself or even a teammate and have it be an offense.

Playing in a dangerous manner usually means there is no contact and it is an IDFK restart - this should not ordinarily be a consideration with a sliding tackle from behind. A player sliding in from behind an opponent must be watched very carefully, and if there is an attempt at an opponent, whether attempting to kick or attempting to trip or simply tackling, we must be prepared to judge whether the attempt was unfair, and if unfair was it simply careless, or was it reckless (cautionable) or was it so dangerous as to warrant a sending off?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. Ignore the parents, they are clueless.
2. Advantage to the player committing the handling violation is immaterial. Either he deliberately handled the ball or he didn't.
3. NEVER yell 'play on' unless you are giving advantage to the fouled team. Yell 'not deliberate' or 'keep playing'
4. The other referees are wrong and shame on them for not knowing this.
5. Tripping or attempting an opponent is a DFK offense.
6. A slide tackle my be performed legally or illegally from any position. It's up to you whether the follow through is legal or a foul.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Lots of questions, Paul.

Deliberate handling of the ball indeed requires that the player do something, not the ball (even if the ball falls advantageously). 'Ball to hand' is a good notion, but fails to catch the deliberate placement of the hand in a place where the ball will strike it. If you also consider whether the player 'made himself bigger' by extending the arms to protect a larger area or deflect a shot or pass, you will make better handling decisions. ( Most parents don't understand that handling must be deliberate, and players will react as if they touched a holy relic. Keep your focus on deliberate.)

Please don't say 'play on' except when you see a foul and want to apply advantage. It's clearer to say 'keep going' or 'keep playing' when there is no foul.

Running a dual referee system indicates that you are not working in a league that is affiliated with USSF. While dual is still used in high school, it presents many challenges for the referee.

You are correct that any part of the foot on the touchline means that the foot (one of two) is in proper position for a throw-in.

Deciding on fouls begins first with the decision whether what happens was fair or foul. If foul, it doesn't matter whether you call it a trip, an attempt to trip, or a careless (thus, foul) tackle. All are direct free kick fouls. Getting the ball is not a defense if the defender also trips the opponent, but it is possible to execute a perfect tackle and then have the opponent fall over the outstretched leg - - all a fair challenge on the ball - - no foul. Watch the hip (is it low to the ground), watch the timing (is it early or late), watch the ball (did the player have any chance to play it). These help you decide.

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

See Question: 22249