Question Number: 13360

Character, Attitude and Control 7/17/2006

RE: Competitive Under 10

Eric Bonzell of Folsom, CA USA asks...

Last weekend, my son's U9 competitive team had a "friendly" against a neighboring competitive team. The other side was very adept at shouldering our players off the ball, but some of the play bordered on what I as a ref would have considered to be foul/reckless play under Law 12 (i.e. obvious "dips" of the shoulders and then a drive into our players to knock them off the ball or in some cases, off their feet!)

What are some of the interpretations of legal "50/50" situations such as this?

Thanks so much -

Eric Bonzell
Folsom, CA

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Eric,
50 /50 is in truth a myth!
50/50 refers only to an opportunity to play the ball, either you play fair or you play foul !
At the younger youth level the tolerance for trivial or doubtful play is much less than advanced play and I sympathize with the difficulty of determining if the charges and pushes are in fact charges and pushes. Going shoulder to shoulder must still require some efffort on the part of those using the tactic to not indiscriminately bowl over players but that in of its self does not make it foul play. I catch you with the inside foot off the ground over you go and not all that much effort is required!
Things to look for is the lean on when taller players are challenging and the jump up for shorter players who leave their feet. The free hand is it being extended as a push off or a pull back or as a slingshot across the chest to go around? Are the players interesecting each other, one running forward with the ball the other comes in blindside perpendicular? or are they running side by side chasing the ball? Foul recognition is an art form as much as science and go with your gut, a legal looking tackle can be made foul if too much force is applied. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Foul recognition is all about the referees point of view and angle. I like my colleagues response on you either play fair or foul. 50/50 ball or not if you play the opponent, then it can and possibly should be a foul. If 2 players are going for a loose ball and 1 player extends an arm to block the other player from playing the ball, TWEEEET......holding. If on a loose ball, a shoulder is lowered into an opponent...TWEEEEEET....charge and most likely the yellow card comes out depending on nature of offense. This shoulder to shoulder contact being legal myth that is out there is not ALWAYS true. Player still cannot intentionally bang shoulders into other players. Shoulder to shoulder is ok if it is 2 players naturally playing the ball. Also, a lot of fouls occur after ball is cleared or kicked. Just because ball is not near the players involved does not make it ok.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Eric what you must consider when watching another referee is his position and angle of view because that is all you can correct. His decisions are his alone and reflect how he views something. They are the result of his opinions regarding facts connected with play.

What we can do is help you to better understand what you think. So, pushing. This is one of the six fouls listed as having a level of severity beginning at careless. What you alluded to is the foul play pushes an opponent at the cautionable level. Perhaps looking at the collision as charging, something that only need happen, can >>more