Question Number: 30400

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/10/2016

RE: Competitive Under 17

paul of Warwick, RI USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30396

thank you for your response to my question. I am new to the page but find it very insightful both into the interpretations of the laws, but also all that a referee must consider. So as I am enjoying it- another scenario from this wacky game

Red player is dribbling the ball. Gets challenged from side by Black. It a rather hard shoulder, but Red dribbler is a solid girl, and Black basically bounces off and ends up on the ground (as often happens when players engage her).

Red is whistled for foul.
Red player reacts by shouting 'No! I didnt touch her!'
Black player responds back 'Yes - You ran right into me!' Not pushed me, not shoved me, not hit me. 'Ran into me'
Red is then booked for dissent (so you see a theme with dissent in this game)

1) can you ever envision a scenario where the dribbler is called for, what, charging? Doesn't the dribbler always have right of way?

2) Given the flow of events - isn't this just an outburst? there was no swearing, there was no personal abuse. Is this really enough to get booked for dissent?

thanks - that concludes this weekends events. Keep up the good work.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Possession of the ball does not exonerate a player from committing an offence such as pushing or illegal charging. However with the player intent on running with the ball the focus on committing a foul image not present.
As described it does not read like Red fouled Black that it really was about Black being off balance and perhaps not as strong as Red.
It also reads like a harsh dissent caution for what could be a soft foul to Black. For me there would have to be a lot more in the words and the manner of same rather then the reaction here towards a foul. As you say if the player swore at the referee or a public display of dissent then by all means it should be a caution.

Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

Paul,

Please see below:

1) Yes. I actually called a u17 player for this last week. The player in question was dribbling and saw that a shoulder to shoulder challenge was imminent. The player in question lowered his shoulder and then launched himself sideways into the oncoming defender. The player was guilty of charging. It is rare, but it most certainly can happen. This scenario you have, need to be there to see it. Some general things to consider would be the point of contact, who initiates the contact, is there an unequal amount of force applied by the players (my example of lowering the shoulder), and of course the physical size differences of the players. I have found that most referees (and parents too!) would benefit from a basic physics course.

2) It could just be an outburst, but if it was either Personal, Provocative, or Public the referee must deal with it as it is a form of dissent. If the referee takes no action, those 'outbursts' become more frequent and a lot less friendly.

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

See Question: 30403