Simulation, diving, embellishment, gamesmanship, play acting. Whatever term is used, the action should be addressed by the referee. Players who employ this tactic not only ruin the enjoyment of the spectators but are attempting to cheat the game and influence a potentially game-deciding ruling from the referee. Furthermore, simulation also often raises the frustration level of opponents resulting in face-to-face confrontations.
Remember, the ultimate goal of players is to get the referee to unfairly punish the opponent. As a consequence, simulation is a prime candidate for cheating. As a potential act of simulation confronts the referee, the official must quickly consider the following guidelines:
- Human Act vs. Intentional Act
- Human Act - Does the situation involve incidental contact?
- Intentional Act - Is there deception involved? No contact or contact intentionally created by the attacker. Referees must train their eyes, mind, and responses. When evaluating a player’s action to determine if it meets the criteria of simulation, consider the following signals:
- Location on the field - Often times, players dive in or near the penalty area. The player is willing to take a chance that his cheating will go unnoticed by the officials and result in a penalty kick or dangerous free kick.
- Contact - It is difficult to caution a player for simulation (unsporting behavior) when there is contact with the opponent. Hence, contact and who initiates it, must be taken into consideration. Do not mistake simulation for embellishment. Embellishment occurs when a player “play acts.” In other words, the player makes a minor infraction seem much grander in scale. Embellishment, is cautionable for unsporting behavior.
- Score of the game - A team that is needing a goal to tie the game or to gain a lead, will attempt to garner a penalty or free kick in the “danger zone” (30 yards or so from goal).
- The ball - Can the attacker get or play the ball? Attackers with the ball who have touched it too far in front of them will go down easily as a defender challenges them because they know they will not be able to get to the ball (it will go over the goal line or an opponent will get it) and they will lose possession.
- The attacker’s feet - As the player is going down, observe his feet. Does the player bring his feet together and drag them along the ground causing him to intentionally lose his balance and go to the turf?
- The attacker’s actions before he lands and when he lands - First, evaluate the attacker’s eyes and head. As divers go down, they are likely to try to make eye contact with the referee. It is a natural reaction for players to look for the decision maker (the referee) and to see where he is positioned. Second, evaluate the attacker’s arms – bracing the fall. Attackers who go down as a result of an unfair challenge, often times do not have the opportunity to brace their fall. Players who plan their fall, will look to cushion their fall by extending their arms out or by rolling on their shoulder.
Remember, players who utilize diving/simulation are cautioned for unsporting behavior.
