Question Number: 23570

Character, Attitude and Control 6/27/2010

RE: Under 19

Steven of Sydney, Nsw Australia asks...

What is some advice for refereeing girls and all age girls , they seem to winge about trifling things like in the back etc?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Steven
I referee them the same as any other group of players regarding whinging or moaning. If it is dissent its a caution.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The game is the same, but the challenges are slightly different, due to the celebrated differences in the female versus the male physique. Women go into challenges differently since their center of gravity is lower than a man's, which changes how a tackle or charge looks.

As with any game, players at different levels are accepting of different levels of contact. If you are hearing lots of whining about particular types of challenges, then the challenges are not trifling to them, regardless of your personal opinion. Any time a referee looks to determine what is trifling or doubtful in any game, he or she must take into account the skill level of the teams and what those teams will accept in that game that day.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

At the younger ages in developmental leagues, I find that girls are often about one or two age groups less accepting of contact than the boys. For example, U14 girls accept about what U12 boys do. But that is just a general rule; the variation within age groups and genders is at least as wide as the average difference between groups. It will also depend on the opportunities available - coaching, leagues, etc. Some U12G will be better players than U12B. Some U13G games will be more physical than U13B. Some U14G will be content to bump off each other all afternoon. Others will want every contact called as a foul.

It is the referee who will have to tread that fine line between calling a foul and or deciding it was trifling. That line is not cast in cement, but is drawn in the sand and can be redrawn as the refere reads the tone of the match.

It is important to give girls games the same respect you give for the boys. You can't assume "it's just the girls" and thus will be easier. In fact, many times the girls' response to fouls will be much more subtle than for the boys. Revenge could come not just in the next few seconds, but much later - maybe even not until the teams meet up again weeks later.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The US FIFA Referee Sandra Sarafini has written some excellent work on the differences between refereeing the men and women's game. You may find some by an internet search.

Positioning may differ. My experience has been that the style of play differs, and this affects the referee patrolling patterns. If you see a strong possession game (very much like Barcelona plays), you need to get much wider to avoid being in space the players need. Staying behind the ball helps you see the next play. With a long ball game (very much like Germany used against England), the diagonal will be narrower, with a greater need to be ahead of the ball to anticipate play.

Fouls that are accepted by the players will differ. With their higher center of gravity and strong upper bodies, men will tolerate fouls above the waist, and will get very angry at fouls below. Look for the shoulder to drop when the charge becomes foul. With a lower center of gravity and relatively weak upper bodies, women will not tolerate the grabbing and pushing that men will, but can play through more hip checks and tackles. Look for the hip to swing out when the charge becomes foul.

The 'tell's' are different. Men often will be very vocal about things they dislike. When angered, the retaliation is likely to be immediate and be done by the victim (or perceived victim) of an earlier aggression. The more time that passes after the initial incident, the less likely the retaliation. Women often will not be vocal. The referee must look for the 'glare' that indicates real trouble ahead. It is more likely that the retaliation will be planned, rather than immediate; executed by a teammate rather than by the original victim; and will come when the referee is not looking for it. It can be more dangerous as time lapses. (I recall a particularly nasty challenge performed a year after the prior incident.)

Each player is different. But, the wise referee learns styles of play and adjusts to them.
For the enjoyment of the players.