Question Number: 15438

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/9/2007

RE: Premier Under 17

Gordon Olski of Calgary, Alberta Canada asks...

Our daughters' team played one of their weaker opposition in the Premier league last night. They won easily but not without a few hundred bruises!!The opposition probably shouldn't be in the premier league but not much we can do about that. The question is - how do we get the referee to notice that the "weaker" players were little freight trains unable to stop themselves from running into our players (after the ball was gone), kicking our players in the ankles/shins/calves (after the ball was gone), and lifting their foot above waist level when our players were going for headers. In most cases the referee played advantage (because the ball ended up with our team) but how on earth do we stop our team from getting hurt? They have been trained not to retaliate and to "be tough" but by the end of the 2nd half their patience was sorely tested. Any suggestions for getting some assistance from the referee that will stop the opposition's behavior would be greatly appreciated. They meet again in 3 weeks (May 30,2007) Thank you!

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

A good referee will watch players after the ball is sent up field. Between the referee and the AR's they should see the off ball fouls and misconduct. This is something that top referees are trained to do. Perhaps the referee crew at your last game was not on the ball and hopefully you will get a more sharp crew in your next game.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A wise referee will realize that sometimes advantage is not wisely given. It may be better to blow the whistle and try to calm things down. That's because far too many people think that the referee calling out, "Advantage, Play On!" means the same thing as "No Foul There." Whenever advantage is given, that means a foul has indeed been called, but the referee felt it was better to allow the fouled team to continue play rather than have a stoppage.

Good referees will also be watching for Persistent Infringement of the Laws. When the same girl fouls a lot of opponents, or a lot of opponents foul the same girl, a caution should be forthcoming. "A lot" is subjective, depending on the circumstances of play and the level of play. Two or 3 fouls within a few minutes might be a lot, but 5 fouls spread out over the whole game might not be a lot. It takes a ref of some experience to recognize a pattern of fouls and issue the caution.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

A long time ago I coached a U19B team, the only one in the county mind you. We had the pick of the players who wanted to participate and we were a "fair" side. We could compete, but only with mid table opponents. What did we do when we ran into a buzz saw? Players could come off when their tempers started getting the best of them, rather they yell at me than the referee.

Some players were able to ride fouls others couldn't. The guys that rode well went up against the foul players. We had guys rather adept at thumping hard challenges that were legal -- they became the enforcer so to speak... We had two defenders that could slide in from the, absolute, rear and hook the ball. Down went the attacker, legally! Foul players who weren't pulled up by the referee found out how accurately some players were with their passes and shots. While the pass or shot never seemed to hit the target they did "hit the target". When we had one of those days, foul players against and an inept referee we had a different kind of fun.

The most fun was mine and the parents. We did little things to take the edge off of a day of watching our guys do less with not so much. In my bag were a dark and light "Tiger Balm", without labels. Before a match I would ask if anyone needed some placebo. We had lime wedges with the peel still on because it caused game face when entirely consumed. No parent was allowed to call out a son's name because they never listened to me so why on earth would I want them to listen to someone else and tactical instructions were few and far between anyway, mostly through a substitute.

With a girl's side I'm sure there are many more things that can be used to ease tension. The match is hard enough on players, bruises are going to happen but the idea is have them where they can't be seen that easily [competition amongst each other]. When playing a team that insists on barrelling in after the ball is gone, expect this and train for it. I mean, if you are going to get hit don't allow it in some place soft, offer something hard for them to run into. Hip rather than stomach, shoulder instead of chest -- see the hit comming and turn a bit to offer a deterrent thus preventing future "collisions". Don't always turn the same way, even out the bruises. After a collision there is always the old go to the referee and ask to leave the field to catch your breath ploy. He's going to ask why, isn't he?

Creative coaches who know the Laws of the Game can use them to their team's advantage. Don't cheat, dive or embellish, far from it -- make their foul play hurt them more than it hurts you and do it legally. Don't go as far as some of the videos, running around last summer, showing the Italian team taking diving practise -- get my drift???

Regards,