Created from contributions by current and former FIFA Referees, and USSF National & State, Referees, Instructors, and Assessors.
We are committed to providing each and every soccer referee the opportunity to become the best officials they can be.
Due to the work by officials to eliminate tackles from behind, players have been forced to find other methods to slow opponents and to send messages or intimidate. The use of the arm, forearm or hand to foul opponents has replaced the tackle from behind. In particular, the use of these items as a weapon in aerial challenges has increased. Due to the speed and athleticism that is a characteristic of the modern game, contact with the arm/forearm/elbow/hand (a hard, solid surface) with any part of the opponent’s body above the shoulders (soft tissue areas) makes the incident much more dangerous. The speed at which many of the aerial challenges are committed increases the force and severity of the contact and, therefore, often translates into excessive force which increases the possibility that the opponent’s safety is endangered. Should the referee believe that excessive force is used in a challenge, a red card would be mandated.
The 2009 Directive on “Contact Above the Shoulder” provides a framework for officials to use in deciphering challenges near the neck and facial region. Key is the referee’s ability to differentiate between the use of the arm/forearm/elbow/hand as a “tool” or as a “weapon.” The following table will assist match officials with interpreting whether the use of the arm/forearm/elbow/hand is fair, careless, reckless or excessive force.
TOOL
WEAPON
Arm used for balance
Normal body movement
No swing of the arm INTO the opponent
Opponent into arm/elbow/hand – not arm/elbow/hand into opponent
Arm/elbow was out before the challenge was initiated
Not UP and IN – just UP
Excessive force used
Safety of the player is endangered
Hard surface (forearm/elbow/hand) contacting soft surface (facial and neck region)
Arm/elbow UP and IN to opponent
Arm/elbow/hand is swung toward opponent’s facial region
UP and IN – arm used as a ”battering ram”
Injury results
When the arm/forearm/elbow/hand is used as a “weapon” as described above, the referee is required to issue a red card. The more it is used as a “tool,” the referee should consider a foul and/or a yellow card. Officials should thoroughly review the 2009 Directive “Contact Above the Shoulder” referenced above.
VIDEO #1
This “contact above the shoulder” situation had several warning signs that could have assisted the referee by increasing his urgency through anticipation and decreased reaction time. As the clip is viewed, consider the following: approximately two minutes earlier, there was a red card that resulted in game disrepute and further misconduct.
Considering the circumstances and atmosphere of the game created a few minutes before (a first warning sign), the referee must anticipate increased tensions and be prepared to respond to volatile situations like the one in clip 4. A headbutt is precipitated by late and hard body contact after the ball is gone (a second warning sign). The player on the receiving end of the late and reckless foul then responds with a more intense response of his own, a headbutt.
As soon as the referee recognizes the late body charge by the Houston player (orange shirt), the referee must move to the spot with urgency with the hope that the player that has been fouled “feels” the referee’s presence and “feels” that the referee will take prompt and correct disciplinary action. As you watch the referee’s response to the situation, notice his first few steps. These initial steps lack urgency and energy, thereby reducing his arrival time on the scene of the crime.
Given the actions by the two players, the disciplinary decisions by the referee are correct. The Houston player (orange shirt) should be cautioned for his reckless challenge (unsporting behavior) while the Chicago player is correctly sent-off for violent conduct (head butt).
There are three established types of events (some events may have multiple types) based on the size, focus, competition level and opportunity for off-field training:
Identification
General Training
Invitational Training
Identification Events Large events with 20 or more games per day officiated by a group of over 100 referees. The primary focus of the event is on-field performance. The event may or may not offer full length games or assessments by national assessors.
General Training Events Large events with 20 or more games per day officiated by a group of over 100 referees. The dual purposes of the event are on-field performance and off-field instruction. The off-field instruction may come in the form of assessment debriefs, classroom sessions or Q&A sessions with elite referees. Invitational Training Events Small events with less than 20 games per day officiated by a group of selected/invited referees and assistant referees. Invitations are mostly offered based on performance at previous identification and training events. Assignments are made based on official positions and crews are selected carefully for each match. Referee performance will be closely evaluated by U.S. Soccer’s elite national assessor network in an environment that prepares referees for the professional game. Officials will receive intensive training and instruction not only on the laws of the game, but also on physical, psychological and administrative elements of successful officiating at the professional level. If you would like to be included in the selection process to participate in these type of events contact Richard Rodriguez by email RichardUSSF@live.com.
Every referee needs to know the facts. And the fact is, when it comes to unaffiliated competitions, every referee is at risk.
US Soccer Referee Program
INSURANCE COVERAGE
Coverage applies to US Soccer Federation (USSF) member referees who have been certified by USSF, but only while acting in their capacity as soccer referees during USSF sanctioned camps or clinics and during matches between USSF affiliated teams and leagues.
- This includes USSF soccer referees acting in the capacity of State Referee Administrator, State Director of Assessment, State Assignment Coordinator, State Director of Referee Instruction, Chairman of the State Referee Committee and State Youth Referee Administrator, assistant referee 4th official, assessor, instructor or assignor.
USSoccer.com
Affiliated and Unaffiliated Competitions
Registered and certified officials have the responsibility to officiate games among youth, adult and professional teams which are affiliated with the U.S. Soccer Federation so that affiliated teams do not have a shortage of qualified officials for their competitions.
Unaffiliated competition refers to teams and leagues that meet any of the following criteria in relation to the U.S. Soccer Federation:
Have never been affiliated with;
Suspended by;
In bad standing with; or
Left voluntarily (while in good standing at the time of departure)
And PLEASE,don't take my word for it... if you have any questions, contact the US Soccer Referee Administration directly:
- For questions about registration and administrative policies, please contact Adrian Garibay, Director of Registration and Referee Administration.
- For questions about the U.S. Soccer Bylaws and Policies, legal affairs and referee suspensions, please contact Greg Fike, Staff Attorney.
* Involves
at least one player and sometimes two or more opposing players adopting an
aggressive attitude towards each other or the match officials.
The actions of the players bring the game into
disrepute.
* Usually the
ball is dead (out of play). Players feel at liberty to have a “go” at each
other because they don’t have to chase a live ball. These are volatile situations.
Because the ball is dead, a specific foul cannot be called but that should not
prevent the referee from taking appropriate action
* Actions
that detract from the enjoyment of the game. Something where the general fan
says, “That is not what I want to watch.”
* Aggressive
behavior toward an opponent or behavior that attempts to provoke an opponent or
the benches. For example: Trying to get a negative reaction from the opponent
(like taunting an opponent).
* Treating
the game, the referee, or the opponents in a disrespectful manner; often the
player is attempting to show he is above the game.
Mass
Confrontation: The Definition(s)
* The concerted actions of three or more players (may
be from either team):
1. Toward the
referee by multiple players of the same team
Disputing a decision by surrounding the referee or
hindering or forcing movement by the referee. Involves aggressiveness toward
the referee, AR, or fourth official. Players are trying to intimidate one or
more of the officials to influence a current outcome/decision or a future outcome/decision.
2. Toward
opponents by multiple opposing players
Coming together to engage in a physical and/or verbal
confrontation. Involves a swarm of opposing players exhibiting aggressive
behavior toward each other. Physical contact is often a by-product of the acts.
Intimidation and a source of strength are trademarks.
* Game Disrepute can quickly escalate and become Mass
Confrontation.
Characteristics and actions required by officials to
prevent escalation:
* Caused by a
trigger issue
Follows an issue or foul that is sensitive to players
like a hard foul in front of the bench or a foul where the safety of a player
is endangered. Consider the foul to a goalkeeper or key player. The player who
runs into the goal to retrieve the ball after they have scored a goal can also
ignite a confrontation.
* Recognize
the trigger issue
Officials must immediately recognize the flash point
or trigger issue. Failure to recognize or a slow response by the referee will
result in further escalation.
Before the game, discuss trigger issues with the
referee team based upon the characteristics of the teams/players involved and
store that information in your databank. For example, teams have certain
players who are more protected by their colleagues than others. These players
can often be the
trigger points for mass confrontation between
opponents. Identify them before the first whistle.
* Get there
to diffuse
Once mass confrontation among opponents arises, a
member of the referee team must get there immediately to prevent escalation.
For each step you are late, it allows one more player to participate.
* Separate
and disperse
The first official on the scene should work to carefully
separate the immediate players. Once three or more players enter the scene, the
referee should step back and observe the situation. The two assistant referees
should also take a vantage point to
observe the actions of the players while the fourth official
maintains his position and monitors the bench area unless he can get to the
scene sooner than the bench side AR. If this is the case, the bench side AR assumes
the duties of the fourth official. This procedure forms a triangle around the confrontation and
maximizes the sight angles from which to monitor the situation and gather
information. As the situation settles, officials should attempt to channel
opposing players into safe zones away from the hot spot in a positive, non-threatening manner.
* Observe and prevent others from joining in
All four officials should not focus on the same hot
spot or become too involved in gaining control of the situation. As stated
above, form a triangle around the situation, observe, and make notes (mental
and otherwise). Look for positive ways to prevent other players from joining in
as these players
often add “fuel to the fire.”
* Dispense appropriate misconduct
Once the situation is under control and players have
been channeled to safe zones, the referee team must quickly dispense the
appropriate punishment.
The referee should ensure he has solicited the input
of the other officials prior to taking action unless immediate action is
required to control the situation and the perpetrators are clear. Violent
conduct should be the first line of focus.
Warning
Signs or Flashpoints
Game disrepute and mass confrontation can happen at
any time in the match.
There is normally a trigger situation. For this
reason, the referee must not let his guard down and get complacent.
1. Severity of the initial foul
2. Zone of contact / location on the field:
* Near signboards / walls
* Near benches
3. Ball is often out of play or not playable
* Near
the boundary lines
4. The distance a player runs to become engaged in
the situation
5. Score
6. Time
7. Physical contact that is a step above normal play
8. Player standing over another player (intimidating
stance)
9. Players putting hand or finger near opponent’s
face
10. Players running into the goal to get the ball
after a score
11. The comments between players
12. Delaying a restart
* Standing
over or directly in front of a ball when a restart is contemplated
* Carrying
/ throwing the ball away
* Kicking
the ball way
13. Body stance and aggression displayed
* Invasion
of body space
* Chest-to-chest
* Push
or shove
* Touching
the face of the opponent
14. Collision with the goalkeeper
* Players
continuing their run toward the goalkeeper
15. Challenge off the ball
16. Frustration levels / Temperament of the game
* What
the players are saying to each other
* Body
language
How It
Should Be Handled
1. Recognize the flash-point or warning signs
(Awareness)
* Anticipate
and expect the unexpected
2. Become the “third man in”
* Get
there early: the closest official
* Act
quickly
* Defuse
it before it starts or escalates (especially to prevent game disrepute from
escalating to mass confrontation)
* Do
not be the one that raises the temperature of the situation as a result of your
actions/approach
* Attempt
to separate players (when only 2 involved) or channel them to neutral areas
3. Body language and voice
* An
authoritative approach should be used without “adding fuel to the fire”
4. Consider getting the card out quickly to
discourage others from joining in
5. Once game disrepute becomes mass confrontation (3
or more players):
* Step
back
* Form
“triangle of control”
6. Identify / Observe players
* Negative
players / instigators / escalators / third man in
* Positive
players / peace makers: use them to facilitate control
7. Take notes
8. Isolate players: once issue settles, step in
* Channel
players to neutral areas
* Administer
any obvious red cards
9. Referee team meet, if required
10. Issue formal sanctions (misconduct) to any other
player(s)
11. Get the game restarted as soon as possible
Roles and Responsibilities of the Referee Team
Note: roles vary based on the position of the
situation on the field and the relative position of the officials to the
incident.
Entire
Team
1. Pre-Game
* Establish
the “game plan”
* Review
the logistics as well as roles and responsibilities in the pre-game
* All
team members are empowered to ask questions in order to clarify
2. Discuss use of the “triangle of control”
3. Closest official becomes “third man in”
* Get
there as quickly as possible to defuse and prevent escalation
4. Identify the:
* The
instigator
* The
retaliator
* Third
man in
* The
escalator
* The
player who comes from distance to be involved (may be the “escalator” or “third
man in”)
5. Pay special attention to contact in the face area
6. Post-Game paperwork
* Ensure complete and accurate descriptions and reasons
are provided in game report – be specific
Referee
1. Identify the flashpoints
2. If 2 players are involved attempt to intervene
until it becomes 3 or more players, then step back and form “triangle of
control”
* Defuse
and minimize
3. Consult with crew regarding misconduct
* Make
sure everyone is aware of the information you require from them
* Ensure
the following individuals are clearly identified:
a. Instigator
b. Retaliator
c. Escalator
d. Third man in
e. Anyone who has come from a distance to get
involved
4. Administer misconduct
5. Restart game as soon as possible
6. Heighten awareness in order to be cognizant of
retaliation
Closest
AR
1. Enter field if:
* You
can prevent the situation from escalating (third man in or can prevent others
from participating)
* Game
disrepute turns in to game misconduct (more than 2 players involved)
Note: if the fourth official is closer to the
incident and he can arrive sooner, then assume the role of the fourth official
and monitor the technical areas
2. Step back and observe if further game misconduct
occurs
* Take mental or written notes
3. Provide information to the referee
Furthest
AR
1. Enter field if:
* Game
disrepute turns into mass confrontation (more than 2 players involved)
2. Quickly form the third point in the “triangle of
patrol”
* Take
a very wide view to capture any fringe misconduct
3. Observe
* Take
mental or written notes
4. Provide information to the referee
Fourth
Official
1. Remain at the bench area to ensure no one from the
technical areas enter the field of play unless:
* You
are closer to the incident than AR1, then you enter the field and follow the
same steps noted for the “Closest AR.” AR1 will assume the fourth official
responsibilities
The
“Triangle of Control”
The “triangle of control” is to be utilized in all
instances of game misconduct following the steps outlined above in accordance
with the roles and responsibilities provided.
Dealing
With Misconduct: Taking Official Action
Referees are encouraged to consider the following as
situations involving misconduct on the part of the participants. Based upon the
severity of the players’ actions, the referee should make a determination as to
whether the
misconduct warrants a yellow or red card.
1. Game
Disrepute
* If
the situation involves only 2 players, the referee has flexibility and discretion
to manage
* Particular
focus should be given to the Instigator / Aggressor – the player who
aggressively initiated the game disrepute. Referees are encouraged to deal more
firmly with this player
* The
aggressive nature of the confrontation should be considered when determining
the sanction
* The referee
is encouraged to consider cautions to both participants if both players act in
an aggressive and intimidating manner KEY: The referee should ensure both
players are punished
uniformly
2. Third
Man In
* If a
third man joins the game disrepute and causes it to escalate to mass
confrontation, this player must be cautioned for unsporting behavior.
* The
third man in may be sent-off for violent conduct if his actions so warrant
3. Mass
Confrontation
* Once
game disrepute becomes game misconduct, referees should monitor for the third
man in and take appropriate action as noted above
* Should
the situation warrant it, the referee should look for a 1 and 1 situation for
cautions (minimally 1 player from each team must be cautioned in cases of mass
confrontation)
KEY: The referee should ensure offenders are punished
uniformly
4. Use of
Hands / Arms: Violent Conduct
When evaluating player behavior / actions during
times of game disrepute and mass confrontation, referees should pay particular
attention to the following:
*Hands out: are hands used to defend or are they used
to intimidate and aggressively inflame the situation?
* Location
of contact with the hands/arms/elbows:
(a) Above the shoulder to the front of the face is a
red card for violent conduct
(b) From the side to the back of the head (from the
ears back) is minimally a yellow card but may be a red card depending upon the aggressive
or violent nature and intent of the contact
The Men’s and Women’s Game: Are they the same???
No. To successfully referee women’s matches a referee must understand some fundamental differences between the male and female soccer players. 1. Loyalty to team and teammates 2. Management Considerations 3. Differences In Play 4. What Coaches Want to See From You as a Referee
1. Loyalty to team and teammates: Women tend to develop very strong interpersonal relationships. Teammates often become very close friends, much like a second family. To illustrate this point: - Women often share much more than their soccer lives with one another and there is genuine care and concern between members on a team.
The next time you watch a women’s match, notice that at an injury, many of the injured player’s teammates will gather around to check on her status. - Conversely, in a men’s match, unless the injury is very serious, rarely does a teammate come over to check on the fitness of a teammate.
Usually there is only a crowd around the water bottles as the injured player is being attended to!
While male players can and often do play alongside teammates that they dislike, in a women’s team this is often very difficult and creates a great deal of interpersonal, emotional dissention.
A women’s team with players who do not get along off the field is very unlikely to be successful on the field.
What Does This Mean?
1. Female players tend to take a hard foul committed against a teammate as an attack against their entire team.
2. Women “feel” fouls suffered by their team members.
3. Female players can have VERY LONG memories regarding rough treatment by opponents. --Refereeing men, however, has taught us that men will very often retaliate for a hard or unfair challenge almost immediately. --So, watch for the male player’s eyes and body language immediately after physical play for an indication of any violence to come. --Women, on the other hand, are much more patient than men to “seek revenge.” --It is not uncommon as a referee to deal with an incident in a match between opponents only to discover later that it is retribution for a clash (or dispute off the field) which may have occurred more than a year ago.
2. Management Considerations
Pre-game Observations:
--Consider which gender you are refereeing and what that entails.
--Discuss tactics with the rest of your crew that will help you deal with gender issues on the field.
--Should you run differently?
--How should you interact with the players?
3. Differences In PlayMen:
--Faster paced level of play
--More fouls—lower body
--Lots of ankle and leg tackles
--Long air balls
Women Level of Play:
--Slower paced
--Less fouls—upper body
--More tactical
--HIP tackles!
--Run and play with arms extended—handballs! Men
--More Vocal –Directed to referee
--Harder tackles
--Retaliate quickly and alone!
--Show emotions immediately Women
-- Less Vocal – More Sarcastic, indirect to referee
-- More apologetic
-- “get you later !” w/help of teammates
-- Less likely to show emotions
--More positive with their teammates, even when mistakes occur. MenGame Control:
-- Faster paced –Entire field
-- Less space needed
-- Holds with elbows
-- Handling - Obvious WomenGame Control:
-- Slower paced – Compact
-- More space needed
-- Holds with hips
-- Handling – Knee jerk reaction—Chest trap?
4. What Coaches Want to See From You as a Referee
--This could not only depend on the gender of the players, but the gender of the coach as well! Men Coaching Men:
--Want us to allow the game to flow
-- More advantage “That was not a foul!” “Let them play!” “This is not a women’s game!”
Women Coaching Women:
- Want the game called the same as the men’s game—however expectations of less contact
- Insulted by having game officiated differently—call the fouls, give the cards!
- Want officials to be sensitive toward the players – no yelling/cursing
Men Coaching Women:
Call the foul “That was a foul!” “Call it tighter!” More paternal/protective
How Do We Referee A Women’s Game With These Differences In Mind? Positioning is very important! During Active Play:
--Generally referees can expect to run wider in women’s matches as play doesn't move up and down the field quite as rapidly.
--Running a wide diagonal (and staying out of the middle of the field) also decreases your chances of being struck by the ball.
--Estimates are that the distance covered by a referee is similar in a women’s game compared to a men’s, and the work rate of the referee should be comparable since it is necessary, in general, to position yourself wider during active play. Goalkeeper Punts/Goal Kicks:
--It is recommended that referees position themselves opposite the Assistant Referee in the SAME half of play as the goalkeeper or team kicking the ball because the ball ordinarily will not travel into the opponent’s half of the field. Throw-Ins:
--Require observation early in a match to determine how far the ball can travel.
--Many female players have the ability to throw the ball as far as men.
--Women who utilize the “flip throw” may be able to launch the ball 40 yards or more in the air.
--So, the referee’s distance down the field from the point of the throw-in is dependent on how far the referee predicts that the ball can be throw. Free Kicks:
--Free kicks also require consideration for referee positioning.
--Male players have much more success on free kicks using their physical strength while in women’s soccer, free kicks regularly offer intricate passing or great position.
--In addition, it has already been noted that women’s games are made up of many more short passes than you would normally see in a men’s match—this can be attributed to the physical strength differences, but also to the pleasure women seem to derive from playing and connecting with their teammates.
Truly Understanding the differences between the men’s and women’s game mean:
Learn the differences in styles of play.
Learn the differences in methods of game preparations.
Learn the differences in body structure, mental approach to the game;
Learn the differences in intensity, emotions and level of each game;
Learn that soccer is the same game, only played differently!
Two players from opposite teams are challenging for the ball. Inadvertently, the blue player touches the ball with his left arm. The Red player who was challenging for the ball, assumes that the referee would definitely have called the handling offense, and immediately grabs the ball with his hand and places it on the ground with the intent of taking a quick free kick.
What should the referee do?
Scenario #2 (Video) w/Google Chrome this video works great....
You are the referee.... What would you do in this situation?
Share your thoughts here or bring your results to the next clinic!
“It is the duty of referees to penalize only deliberate breaches of the Law. Constant whistling for trifling and doubtfulbreaches produces bad feeling ….”
"Careless"
Unthinking, reactive, unconscious, may or may not have been a deliberate act, having no intent, and somewhat out of control. These fouls are not trifling and need to be whistled.
They are simple and easy fouls.
"Reckless"
The act is deliberate, calculated, without remorse or concern about the consequences.
These fouls must be dealt with using more than just a whistle and a signal. Make it clear to the player who committed the foul that this is not acceptable.
Have a private or public word and/or caution.
When a foul elevates to reckless things begin to change.
"Excessive Force"
A foul that is premeditated, callous and uncaring, with no concern for safety,
and lacking self-control should be deemed as using excessive force.
The safety of all participants is your primary responsibility as a referee.
