Question Number: 31164

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/9/2017

RE: Under 13

Todd of USA, USA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 31162

Thank you for the replies - additional clarification is that while she is shielding, she pretty much bent over a little more and used her butt to back into the defending player. She wasn't trying to hide it...imagine defender being pushed back by someone clearing space using their rear end.
thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Todd
As described it can just look different and with a smaller player backing in the foul can be called for the offence of pushing, charging using the back/ rear. Also the player typically may have lost contact with the ball which is then outside of playing distance so that is a foul.
Sometimes location can have a bearing and perhaps a referee may have just wanted to stop the contact escalating into something more at underage.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Todd,
it might seem a tad unfair that smaller players can lose out challenges to larger players simply because of mass and physics but what you describe is a form of pushing if she backs AWAY from the ball into a following opponent. Each referee will form an opinion as to what constitutes trifling or doubtful actions but if the ball distance gets further away the likely hood of shielding the ball becoming a foul of pushing to keep the opponent away from the ball increases . I see nothing wrong with a hunched form as long as she is following the ball within a stride or two as it is MOVING and to be only a step away when it is stationary. I remind you again the arms spread flailing back also tend to occur in this position. Watch the elbows and free hand grabs! Referees tend to get concerned when player's antics are a tad unusual and the reaction of other players as well as the spectator watching also factor in. I have seen many an official find fault with something that I could not. If the young lass is creating a situation where SOME referees find it as a reason to make a call , as each referee is a MATCH condition, like the weather or pitch surface, she needs to adapt to their ideal of fair play. The best we as officials can do is to be CONSISTANT within the same match even if we have different tolerance level between games.
Cheers