Question Number: 6302

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

RE: High School

Tom of Tamworth, asks...

When we were playing a game of doubles down our park, one of the lads team mates shouted 'Ive got' behind me,i left it thinking it was my team mate,i turned around and saw it was an opponent. I protested saying that its illegal to shout 'ive got' in the game, and he said it isnt.. help!

Answer provided by Referee Dawson

Hi Tom, .I was confused about the use of the term doubles? We are taking soccer not tennis right?.Free speech is alive and well for the most part. Calling mine, I got it, or leave it is no more than a bit of communication. .The concept of an opponent attempting to decieve or put you off can be considered as USB misconduct as it offends the spirit of the game to use deciet or trickery. It often is incorrectly called verbal impeding although truly that in fact is what it is when used to do the deed as it did to you. It is thought that if a refreee sees the action as USB and stops play to award an INDFK he MUST caution and show the yellow card. Personally I try to discourage this type of communication as I feel it COULD cause issues but the what is said is not the issue WHY and HOW it affects play is...Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Tom Ref Dawson speaks well on this subject. If someone yells and is successful in putting you off then he has done something unsporting and should be dealt with. If his skills are sufficient to beat you and he does, that is how the Game is played. If he has to resort to something other than skill to beat you the fun stops. ..We play to have fun.....Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Morley

I would give an IDFK, and would lecture the player, but a caution seems a bit harsh.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

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