Question Number: 25682

Character, Attitude and Control 10/29/2011

RE: Rec Under 19

Dale of Corinth, TX USA asks...

I was centering a game today and was thinking about the game management. The game was very physical and had many hard challenges. From my view, the challenges were legal challenges (shoulder to shoulder, ball was playable), but often players ended up on the turf from being off balance when challenged, etc. Aside from one girl complaining excessively, I felt the game was handled correctly. (She was eventually sent off.) However upon reflection, I was wondering if I should have called some more of the challenges due to players coming in too hard. I am sure it is a had to be there type thing, but wanted to know what you would do for such a physical game.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

When a game gets more physical than you think it should be, call every little thing you see. That will slow things down, and hopefully the players will get the message that they need to change their behavior.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dale
Strength is part of the game of soccer. However strength should not be used to intimidate an opponent or to gain an unfair advantage. It is up to the referee to set the tolerance level on the limit of strength that should be used in any challenge for the ball. I have seen players on many occasions win the ball legally but the manner they used was reckless which resulted in a DFK and a caution. Teams then see that the referee is not going to allow 'hard' challenging or allow overtly physical actions.
The referee then has to also consider it use in charging. If there is a mis match in terms of players of differing weight or strength the referee has to judge whether the charge is reckless in which case it is a foul and a possible caution depending on how much force is used. The term I like to use is that in charging a player should be eased off the ball. A charge that knocks a player into the next parish is reckless and possibly excessive force. If it is simply a mis match then the larger player should not be penalised for simply playing in a reasonable manner. I also think that smaller opponents expect that and only take exception when the player's action is excessive and above what is required.
Finally in games where it is physical and there is a mis match there exists the strong possibility of players getting upset about challenges resulting in dissent and the taking of retribution. Referees have to take the temperature of such situations and deal with this so that it does not erupt in a more serious incident. A player that is constantly getting knocked about may decide to take action herself resulting in either VC or SFP. The game can be won without the need to resort to being overtly physical and hard challenging. Referees must see the level that is acceptable for the game taking into account all the circumstances.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The cues needed regarding whether to call more or less come from the players. The referee should not approach a game thinking 'I need to call this one tighter.' or 'I'll just let them play.' but instead should consider the level of the game, then observe the warm-ups and the first minutes of play carefully to get a feel for what the game will need in terms of management.

What is hard and legal in one game or for one team is not always the same for other games or other teams. Skill level, size, speed of challenge, angle, etc. must all come into consideration. Those hard challenges can be intimidating to players when they continually end up on the ground. Here is where the referee can practice game control and player management.

Try calling a few of the harder challenges in a game like this, even if they appear borderline legal, and see if it adds or subtracts from game. See how the players react. If they say things like 'Finally!' or 'Thanks, ref!' then it would appear they don't like the level of challenges being allowed, and don't want to play that way. If on the other hand, they are complaining 'Let us play.' or such, then judge whether this is true for both teams. If needed, call hard challenges that disadvantage one team, but if the other team wants to play through that type of challenge let them.

It is good you self evaluate on these games, because that is how we grow and get better as a referee. Keep it up.

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

See Question: 25967