Question Number: 32848

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/27/2018

RE: Select Under 13

Jeff Banks of Kealakekua, HI USA asks...

I am a referee for AYSO & HYSA leagues. My concern is with charging and the strength of the contact between players. I have noticed an increase in the power of shoulder-to-shoulder contact. How can I control this type of play, when there is not a charging penalty by the defender? The players come next to each other as they are running/dribbling down the field and then they both bang into each other simultaneously with more power than I think is safe.
What would be the proper approach for the referee?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jeff
Yes the referee has control of that. The referee can deem that such heavy charges are careless.
Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed.
The restart is a direct free kick.
In Underage safety is the key and there is no need for excessive charging. Such challenges on an unsuspecting opponent can easily cause injury such as whiplash, dislocations etc.
Calling such fouls might draw a few moans so as long as the referee is consistent and he has set his stall out that these type of roughhousing charges will not be tolerated the players hopefully will get the message quickly.
As to the approach I would call the first excessive charge. Hopefully one players has made the charge rather than both charging simultaneously. However rarely are they ever side to side and one player usually knocks the opponent over. I might say out loud for most the players to hear *I am not allowing that type of excessive charging*.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jeff,
What would be the proper approach for the referee's management is one suited to the age and experience of the players based on your tolerance & players acceptance, safety & fun

I understand your concern for safety I do not necessarily agree that we must find fault if the charge is fair just because the two players are at a fast pace & intersecting angles. A fair charge can result in a player being put to the ground, however, if one player loses his balance, timing, catches an opponent on the "wrong foot" at the moment contact is made, or if another player is simply bigger or stronger. The mere fact that contact has occurred and a player winds up on the ground does not make the contact illegal. Soccer can often be quite physical but as long as the contact is done in a legal manner, we must be wary of redefining a game tactically because if they both bang into each other simultaneously in a fair manner who is at fault and why?

Legal contact in soccer is nominally described as being "shoulder to shoulder" between two opponents, as one player comes into the other, or challenges for the ball. The most common instance of this is two players running side-by-side, usually as they both pursue a moving ball in front of them. Shoulder-to-shoulder contact may also occur with opponents facing one another, such as in a front block tackle, or from behind, such as when one player screens the ball from an opponent, (NOT into the spine or back). Each of these examples, when performed properly, represents a "fair charge" or a "fair challenge" in soccer. Former wording of the FIFA Interpretations stated that, "the act of charging is a challenge for space using physical contact [emphasis added] within playing distance of the ball without using arms or elbows."

The object of such a charge is to knock the opponent away from the ball. No charge into the back or chest is permissible as a fair charge must be within the shoulder to shoulder area, (Not shoulder of exact point of same shoulder) The shoulder charge does involve physical contact within playing distance of the ball but without using arms or elbow, meaning that the player's arm from shoulder to elbow must be kept tightly tucked into his body when the charge is made. This means NO straight arm football shove, even when one player starts to lift the arm outwards from the elbow it turns it into pushing. While draping an arm or elbow over top of the opponents' shoulder it becomes a form of holding. This occurs in a Physics mismatch when a taller player is engaging a smaller opponent. Given the players must have at least one foot on the ground so not to be jumping up into an opponent something a smaller player might be forced to do to reach the shoulder of a taller player. Although the force of the charge cannot be violent or dangerous it does not mean it has to be at a slow speed it must be intended to win the ball & not just to knock down the opponent so look at the eyes during a challenge if directed at the ball or the player.I agree fully the player making the challenge cannot just slam into an opponent who is in mid-air or barrel into him at high speed, even if the contact is shoulder to shoulder. A stationary or slow moving or unaware player there is a steam train headed his way needs to be protected. Granted if the players are side by side in stride chances there is no reckless or excessive force unless we see a hip thrust, arm shove or leg trip, instead of the shoulder lean in.

Law 12, "Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution." (This results in the simple award of the free kick.) IF you are looking for an escape clause without resorting to cards to set a performance or tolerance bar for the players to uphold during your match as it is your decision & your reputation on display as to your personal take as to what is acceptable force on a shoulder to shoulder fair tackle then set the bar on the first instance.

"Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent…" (This is supposed to bring a yellow-card caution in addition to the free kick.) "Using excessive force is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and endangers the safety of an opponent…" (This is supposed to bring a red-card ejection in addition to the free kick.)

Have a look here as you can see legal as heck but lots of force in the coming together do you see a foul?



http://gaa.eir.ie/image/var/files/experience-speaks/Football-tackles/PIC_2.jpg

Cheers