Make the Call
This is a monthly (maybe more frequent) column by referees for referees. We welcome the soccer community to read it, but our purpose is to present information on making calls - helping referees to judge consistently what is fair and foul. While this will be an opinion column, it will also be refereed by a group of experienced referees.
We are starting this column with the understanding that probably as many words have been written about soccer as minutes have been played in soccer games, and that the play experience surely dominates decision making compared with words.
We view this effort as part of our team building - the entire referee team, without whom there can be no game. This is part of our focus on mentoring - building stronger referee team - by providing information and opinions on how each of us can become a better referee.
The column will be moderated by Chip Goodman, one of the Bay Oaks referee coordinators. Submissions to the column may receive suggestions from an editorial board of experienced referees prior to publication.
Having said all of that, this opinion column will focus on safe play. We ask that you think about what we're saying.
Kevin Rockwell
Pushing, Holding, Obstructing and No Ball Contact Tackle
Some referees apparently view these fouls as minor and dismiss the actions, viewing them as just part of play. We take the view that these are fouls if committed, and should result in a call. However, note that age group and competition level issues must always be taken into consideration; what is an evident push for U16 Class 1 may be an inadvertent contact in U10 Class 4. Good referee judgment will take these and many more issues into consideration before making the call. The comments provided below are to help you make the right call.
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Pushing. Thus far this Spring Season, we have seen numerous arms out pushing the opponent away, making contact with the ball by the opponent unlikely. Law 12, Fouls and Misconduct, states: "A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: …pushes an opponent…" In situations where the action is keeping the opponent from the ball, this can be reckless or can turn into an un-sportsmanlike call.
Holding. We have seen grips on the wrist or forearm as the opponent gains a step, trying to hold the opponent back. This is holding. We have seen such done on the outside, away from any view of the Center, but fully in view of an AR. The referee team must agree in advance how to communicate in such conditions, and it is permissible for an AR to signal a foul, especially when such is shielded from the Center.
Law 12, Fouls and Misconduct, states "A direct free kick is also awarded to the
opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offences:…holding an opponent…"
This foul need not wait for careless, reckless, or excessive force. It just has to happen. We have an obligation under our guidelines of safe and fair play to make a call when holding occurs.
Obstruction (impeding). This is a difficult call to make because any number of other calls will be made around the action that might be impeding. The real issue is whether the player is getting in the way without playing the ball. Playing the opponent, with no physical contact, can be impeding; playing the ball, even with physical contact, is likely to be just a good challenge. If the ball isn't being played, then the call may be holding. For example, if an attacker releases the ball, and then the defender slides and stops right in front of the attacker, stopping his forward movement, that may well be holding. When a player stops right in front of an advancing opponent, making no play for the ball but only tackling the opponent, this is not impeding, but again, may be holding. Impeding usually doesn't involve physical contact, and it is an issue familiar to us all: playing the player rather than the ball.
This Spring Season, we have seen many occasions where an attacker or a defender were impeded, and no calls were made. This shouldn't happen.
Law 12, Fouls and Misconduct, states: "An indirect free kick is also awarded to the
opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee:.. impedes the progress of an opponent.."
Again, this need not be careless, reckless, or using excessive force; this just has to happen.
No ball contact tackle. This tackle can occur before, during, or after the ball has passed the player who commits this foul.
Law 12 is very clear about the no ball contact tackle when two or more players are making a play for the ball: "A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offences: …._ tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball."
What about when the ball is not near the players? This can be impeding or un-sportsmanlike conduct, among other possible fouls.
We have had a chance in just the first two weeks of Spring Season to see many occasions of tackling with no ball contact, and even more occasions of contact behind the ball or without making a play on the ball.
Think about it off the field. Make the call on the field.
Chip Goodman
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