Game Management for Intermediate Referees

1. Game Managementfor Intermediate Referees Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher Program April 2004 James Keast Provincial Referee Instructor & Assessor The Referee Development Committee of the Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association gives specific permission is given to distribute and reuse this material for educational purposes only. This material is inspired in part from materials produced by the CSA, FA, USSF and FIFA. Diagrams from the USSF used with permission

2. Outline • Match Management • Correct Use of Advantage • Gamesmanship • Recognizing Challenges Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

3. Match Management • What makes for effective match management? • What can we do before the game? • During the game? • After the game? Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

4. Effective Match Management • The Referee Team must ensure that the SEE goal is achieved: • Safety • Equality • Enjoyment • The Referee must ensure the match is played without unreasonable interference from outside forces, the players or team officials Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

5. Control • If the match is well managed, the Referee Team is in control of the match • When the players, coach violate the spirit or letter of the Laws of the Game or the spectators interfere the Referee Team looses some control over the match • How do we get, maintain, and re-attain control? Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

6. Before The Game • Understand the Laws • Continuing education, watching lots of a games • Look the part with proper uniform and equipment • Plan and use an effective Pre-game • Inspect the field and players • Collect paper work and match balls • Provide instructions to your Assistant Referees • Arrive on time to do these things • Be and appear confident • Protect your reputation Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

7. During the Game • Have a positive attitude, develop a friendly personality, you’re being paid to be in charge but please avoid being a dictator • Use reasonable discretion at all timesTake responsibility seriously • Be aware of everything going on • Be consistent • Be seen to be fair • Be close to the play • Use proper mechanics and signals Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

8. Taking Back Control • You will loose control of a game • It will likely be the biggest game you have been assigned so far • Likely early in the game or near the end of either half when you and the players are getting tired • How do you get it back? Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

9. Stay calm Be closer to the play Slow the game down, make use of stoppages Call more fouls Nothing is trifling at this point, no advantage Deal with all misconduct Get control of dissent Warn or caution Deal with problem players: Warn, caution or send-off as appropriate Work through the captains (maybe) Taking Back Control Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

10. After The Game • Talk to the rest of your team to find out what you missed and what you can do better • Review the flashpoints if any • when did things start to go wrong? • Referees must always be honest with each other and ourselves or we will never improve • Seek formal Assessment Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

11. Advantage • Law 5 says: • “the Referee allows play to continue when the team against which the offence was committed will benefit from such an advantage” • How long do we wait for advantage? • What if it doesn’t happen? • What about related misconduct? • How is it communicated? • “Play On, Advantage!” or just “Advantage” with related arm signals Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

12. Unrealized Advantage • The Referee should wait 3-5 seconds for the advantage to be completely realized • If the anticipated advantage doesn’t happen the Referee should stop the play and award the free kick for the original foul • Note: the advantage might be a shot on goal (not the goal itself) • Or the ability to pass to teammate (not the completion of the pass) Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

13. Advantage and Misconduct • If advantage is applied when there was both a foul and also misconduct the Referee must deal with the misconduct at the next stoppage • Rarely allow advantage where the misconduct is worthy of a send-off • Especially if the send-off is for Violent Conduct Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

14. Trifling Offences • IFAB Decision to Law V used to read: • “...it is the duty of the referee to penalize only deliberate breaches of the Law. Constant whistling for trifling and doubtful breaches produces bad feeling and loss of temper on the part of the players and spoils the pleasure of the spectators.” • This wording has been removed but theguidance remains; good referees will avoid stopping play for trifling offences • In these instances do not apply advantage, simply don’t make the call you may say: • “play on” or “nothing there” or something similar just do not indicate or say “advantage” Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

15. Activity - Advantage • Activity: • In groups of 3-5 • What are some of the things the referee should consider when deciding to apply advantage? Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

16. Was there an advantage? Possession Pass Shot on Goal Position In the attacking third Possibly near the middle of the field Never in the defending third Ball Retention Did the fouled team retained possession of the ball? Always apply advantage: When a clear goal scoring opportunity remains despite a non-violent foul Never apply: For serious offences which might trigger retaliation When match control is in jeopardy Considerations in Advantage Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

17. Advantage Case Study 1 • An attacker in the attacking third is fouled near the touchline but continues • The referee applies and signals advantage • The attacker looses possession of the ball and it goes out of play • What should the Referee do? Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

18. Advantage Case Study 2 • An attacker in the attacking third is advancing toward goal when the defender clearly pulls his shirt; the attacker continues toward goal • The referee applies and signals advantage • The attacker is able to shoot but misses • What should the Referee do? • Would it be different if a goal was scored? Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

19. Advantage Case Study 3 • An attacker in the attacking third is advancing toward goal when he is violently brought down from behind. • The ball is picked up by another attacker who may have a goal scoring opportunity • What should the Referee do? Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

20. Gamesmanship • What is Gamesmanship? • “The art or practice of using tactical maneuvers to further one's aims or better one's position”. Dictionary.com • Is Gamesmanship within the Laws of the Game? • Yes and no, gamesmanship can be both legal and illegal Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

21. Comments from coaches and players before the game: “Last week’s referee was horrible, we’re glad to see you” or “Watch #5 on their team he’s always plays dirty” From the Players During the Game: Dissent Delay of restart and other time wasting by goalkeeper, players and coaches Players taking dives or faking Encroachment on free kicks Intimidation of opponents or match officials Flattery of the Referee Examples of Gamesmanship Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

22. Dealing with Gamesmanship • The Referee must always recognize Gamesmanship and deal with it appropriately • Ignoring gamesmanship will impact game control • Comments before the game are generally harmless so long as you are aware of what is going on • All gamesmanship during the game must be managed by the Referee • The higher the level of play the more difficult it is to recognize gamesmanship • We must be aware Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

23. Evaluating Gamesmanship • For each event: • Were the Laws of The Game Infringed? • Was the Spirit of the Game Infringed? • Action by the Referee: • Warnings to the players or coaches involved • Cautions for Unsporting Behaviour • In some cases no visible actions, the Referee may choose to do nothing – and so long as he has not allowed the gamesmanship to impact his decisions this might be okay Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

24. Recognizing Challenges • Not only must the Referee recognize fouls for fouls but he must also consider if there has been serious misconduct Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

25. Review of Tackling Fouls from Law 12 • kicks or attempts to kick an opponent • trips or attempts to trip an opponent • jumps at an opponent • charges an opponent • tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

26. Where was contact made: Ankle Knee Thigh High on the body From where did tackle come? Side Front Back Where was the ball? Had not arrived (early tackle) As the ball arrives (well timed tackle) After the ball had left (late tackle) How serve was the contact: Reckless Excessive force Violent Was this Serious Foul Play? Intention of Players: Intimidate Retaliate Injure When is a foul misconduct? Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

27. Evaluation By the Referee • The referee must observe and consider if the foul is more than just a foul • We must correctly punish Serious Foul Play: • A tackle from behind, which endangers the safety of an opponent, must be sanctioned as serious foul play. Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

28. Intimidation and Retaliation • We must recognize control acts of Intimidation and Taunting • Minimally with a warning but likely with a caution for unsporting behaviour • We must deal with Retaliation • Minimally with a caution but likely with a send off for violent conduct or serious foul play • Clear attempts to injure must result in the player being sent off • Failing to deal with these events will destroy match control Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004

29. Examples The following examples come from Instructional Materials Prepared by the United States Soccer Federation Used with Permission from Alfred Kleinaitis (USSF, Director of Education and Development)

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48. Review of What Makes a Foul Misconduct • Point of contact • Direction of contact • Timing of contact • Severity of contact • Intent of contact • Result of contact Halifax Soccer Referees’ Association Spring Refresher 2004