Question Number: 22529

Character, Attitude and Control 11/16/2009

RE: Under 17

Dave of Des Moines, IA US asks...

When you see two opponents going at each other and it is above your 'physical play' meter but you just can't make out who is the worst offender, is it OK to go ahead and call a foul on one of them and then make sure that you have a word with both of them telling them that their play is a little over the top?

Sometimes yelling '50-50' works well but there are just those certain times when you feel you need to do something a little more if you feel the match is 'heating up' a little more that you like.
Would that be better that a dropped ball restart?
Comments?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
An astute referee will make an informed judgement on the 1st tackle that exceeds what you term the 'physical play meter' and step in accordingly with either a caution or a strong word for that player. That sets the tone for the rest of the game and players should take a signal from that. If required that needs to be repetaed until the message does get across. Many times the aggresor is the player making the tackle not the player with the ball.
On 50-50 tackles if there is no apparent offender then more than likely no foul has been committed just overly robust play. I may make a comment to both such as 'Hey Calm down please'. I always make a mental note of the two players for future reference so the next time one exceeds the accepted level I will step in and deal firmly with that player. It could be the very next challenge.
I would not recommend a dropped ball restart on these type of incidents.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

With U17 boys, the referee needs to see and call the hard fouls or the boys will quickly take matters into their own hands. If you aren't sure who fouled first, call one of them.

But, physical play isn't a foul. The challenge for the referee is to have the game under control, and then allow the players to extend the speed and level of play to their comfort level, restricting the flow when they extend beyond it. There are ways to restrict the flow without a whistle. One of my favorites is the word 'steady.' 'Easy' is a reminder that the referee is there, but it can be heard as a criticism of a high work rate. 'Steady' is an aid for players to focus, but is not judging how they are playing or demanding that something change (as does the whistle and card).

Sometimes the player's comfort level is faster/stronger than the referee's comfort level (a sign for me to drop down a level and 'practice' flow control.)

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Some say only do what you are comfortable with but experience has shown us that you do what you need to and you just have to look comfortable! ;o) The fact is there are consequences for EVERY decision to allow or not allow something. You cannot waltz about with a silly smile pasted or a furrowed brow the entire game but you must know when it is time to use either. Voice inflection and body language while they are not an explanation of a decision they certainly can sell a decision!

If you choose to watch and say nothing at 15 yards away it says something different if you are 5 yards away and eye contact glare with a head shake and say nothing! At ten yards and a simple reassuring 'Watch it' or "Settle" in a gruff voice might be as effective as or better than either!

If one sees physical play but reaffirms with, "Who's up for it! Put a name on it! Solid Tackle! Well in! Well played! It shows I we are watching and not unhappy at what we see! However we must look closely to ensure the players are indeed responding to our idea of trifling or doubtful or what passes for fair this day!

The law does permit a drop ball for simultaneous fouling by opposing players but it is a rare occasion to use it. Once I turned around and to opposing players decided to wrestle, rolling on the grass. I stopped play and restarted with a drop ball simply because I had no idea who did what to who I reamed them both out told them no more cuddling in behind my back you want to ask each other out you wait till after the match now kiss and make up or you both are going to the showers or is that what you two want? As a single official no neutral AR to help decide anything different the players were both embarrassed and both teams in laughter mode. By the way this is a tact that I cannot recommend, it could easily backfire on you and with everyone so damn politically correct get you in hot water as well!

A key point is we cannot tactically tell players what to do or not to do nor suggest to a coach a substitution is a good idea even if it is! I have on occasion passed on information to the respective coaches, "Coaches your players are treading in yellow waters and I am not a lifeguard!

Best thing is the ten minute strangle where you grab the match by the neck and squeeze it hard to settle the exuberance. Be focused, stay close to the play and anticipate!

If we see the opposing players in combat mode call things a bit tighter to settle. FIRM FAIR no nonsense! This stops now gentlemen. One guy usually does something first the other reacts try to get that first time!

USE advantage to your advantage! Be loud and on the advantage signal let them know the player you will becoming back to talk to, so the player just fouled knows your looking out for his welfare! Ask the player did you prefer that advantage or did you want the foul!

Steady boys play fair! I see that #4! Watch it #7! HEY FELLOWS I AM RIGHT HERE! CUT THAT CRAP OUT! You can delve in quickly and be strong, tight to the action between the two who look to be squaring off, Gentlemen, anything I need to know? I do not like problems do we have one?

Listen to the dissent or background murmurs, selective hearing discards the usual ref you are blind stuff but discerns the nature of the attitudes and emotions starting to filter through the match. Get the critical decisions right and try not to engage in actions beyond your pay grade. Players and coaches respect a referee who is TRYING and it is apparent that they are. You start doing the walkabout at centre circle when play is far away look for things to quickly fall apart!

Reassure players I saw! I am here! I am going to protect you! Sometimes a, "Was that really necessary? You are better than that! You're much too valuable to your team to be sitting on the bench which is where you are headed if we do not halt the skid! What did I miss? Sorry I am on it!"

A very big issue is IF you engage, IF you ask for input and get a BLAST remember not to overreact for what YOU initiate!
This is why the character of an official, how he or she can interact comfortably plays such a crucial role! I am to some a verbal monster in I talk too much! It however works more in my favour than it might for others! Also Youth and adult you need to understand the limitations and risk rewards for such actions. Young testosterone charged adults /teens are easy to enrage yet easy to distract and get a wry smile or chuckle even in tense situations. In a wall setting I remarked, "You keep backing in like you are trying to get pregnant?" One boy exclaimed, "That better be a finger poking me?" Yes it was a suggestive reference totally not cool at age 12 girls but age 17 boys it worked well and the laughter physically drained much tension away!

Cheers