• The Core: Safety, Entertainment, and 100%
Misconduct
At the core of the referee’s management of the game
are safety, entertainment value for
spectators/players and 100% misconduct. Referees
must find the right mix of flow, foul selection, and
game control so that these 3 core factors are not
negatively impacted.
(1) Safety: Referees must find the right mix of game
control, flow and foul selection without endangering
the safety of the players. Should the safety of the
players be jeopardized, the referee must reconsider
his approach to game management.
(2) Entertainment: By providing flow and fewer
stoppages in the match, the ball is in play longer,
which increases the entertainment value of the game.
(3) 100% Misconduct: Referees are presented with
situations in the game that require a red or yellow
card be issued. The referee cannot ignore these
situations and, for the good of the game, must
administer the appropriate misconduct (yellow or red
card) to the player(s) in question. 100% misconduct
situations are those in which the Laws of the Game
mandate that a yellow or red card be issued. These
are situations that are clear-cut, there is no gray
area. When confronted with a 100% misconduct
situation, referees are obliged to deal with the
misconduct cannot use the “big picture” to determine
whether a card should be given or not.
• The Triangle: Flow, Foul Selection/Recognition and
Game Control
Each point of the triangle represents an important
ingredient for game management. The 3 points must
work in harmony to ensure that the core is
protected. In other words, foul selection and flow
go hand-in-hand with game control. The more game
control that is needed, the less foul
selection/recognition the referee engages in. Hence,
referees need to find the right balance between foul
selection/recognition and allowing flow and game
control.
(1) Foul selection/recognition: Refers to the
referee’s ability to identify the types of
small/minor challenges that the players will accept.
In other words, the ability of a referee to manage
the game in a manner that maximizes the time the
ball is in play by eliminating unnecessary
stoppages. Referees must choose the right
opportunities to take risks by not calling the
borderline/minor challenges (trifling) that do not
affect game control. Appropriate risks are ones that
make sense given the location on the field, the type
of challenge committed, the opportunity for a
successful result from the application of flow, and
the eventual impact on game control given the “big
picture” of the match.
(2) Flow: The ability of a referee to manage the
game so that the ball is in play by eliminating
unnecessary stoppages. By reducing the number of
fouls called by correctly differentiating the
trifling challenges from the careless/reckless
fouls, officials can ensure more rhythm to the game.
(3) Game Control: Represents the ability of the
referee to find the right mix of foul selection and
flow. Game control is directly related to the
referee’s management of the game and how he sets the
tone for what is acceptable in the game and what is
not acceptable. Presence and how the referee
projects his personality on the game is a
significant factor in game control. More game
control is needed when the players’ actions indicate
they do not want to play within the spirit of the
Laws of the Game.
High level of game control = more foul selection and
flow
Low level of game control = less foul selection and
flow
• The Circle: “Big Picture”
The “big picture” relates to the atmosphere and/or
environment surrounding the match as it is played
out and the referee’s “feel” for what the game needs
at a given moment. If an act by a player could be
interpreted as either a foul or a possible
cautionable foul or if the act could be interpreted
as either a yellow or red card (the act falls within
a gray area), the referee needs to consider the “big
picture” surrounding the match. In the few instances
when similar borderline cases arise, referees should
consider asking themselves:
(1) Does the player need the card?
Consideration is given to the player’s prior
behavior (the overall conduct of the player to that
point) in the game and the intent of the player’s
act.
(2) Does the game need the card?
Consideration is given to the temperature of the
game (the overall atmosphere of the match) to that
point. The referee should quickly analyze where the
game has been and where it is heading based upon
player conduct to that point.
The “big picture” provides the referee with a
framework for decisions but it must not be an excuse
for a referee’s failing to deal with 100% misconduct
situations or a referee’s inability to ensure the
safety of the players.
Formula for Implementation
• The referee must recall the previous action /
incidents: the “big picture”
• Know the player’s skill on the ball and give the
talented players more opportunity to show their
skills
• Quickly calculate the probability of success of
the risk on each play
• Use the “wait and see” principle
• Consider the “Warning Signs”
•“Feel” (“fingerspitzengefuhl”) the attacker has the
opportunity to “play through” the contact
• In cases where the referee is applying the
advantage clause, the advantage signal should be
used to demonstrate that the game is being allowed
to flow. Use of the advantage signal sends a visual
message to the players/spectators that the referee
saw the infraction, thereby mitigating potential
negative feedback.
Trifling / Minor / Soft Challenges: What are They?
1. Player’s Safety Not Jeopardized
2. Not careless, reckless, or using excessive force
3. Player stops playing
• Player has not been the target for a “pattern of
fouls” which has caused him to anticipate or be
fearful of a possible next foul
4. Candidates for flow:
• Upper body challenges not using arms (nonviolent)
• Tugs and holds (simple and non tactical)
• Incidental-type contact
Warning Signs a Referee Needs Less Flow / Foul
selection/recognition and More Game Control
The following list are some of the “warning signs”
or “flash points” in a game that should resonate
with officials and provide direction regarding
overall game/situation management:
• Foul near the team benches
• Wet field – comfort level of players to make
tackles increases
• Tackles extend from 3 yards to 7 yards
• Sequence / succession / repetition of challenges
in a short time span (cluster fouls)
• More body contact
• Mismatched body contact (feet versus chest, head
versus knee)
• Change from containment defense to high pressure
and chase
• Challenges (including 50-50) and apparent
challenges on the goalkeeper
• Near the touchline and no way out for the ball or
the player
• Retaliation foul after play restarts
• Player into goal to retrieve ball after a score
• The winning team protecting the ball at the corner
flag to use time
• Excessive fouls on the skillful player (play maker
and scorer)
• Escalation in the “severity of fouls” committed
• Frustration level of players increasing, player
acceptance of decisions decreasing
• Dissent increasing
• Player feedback from both teams indicating “we
don’t want flow”
• Score and time
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2010 FIFA WC Continents and Teams
There are 32 Teams going to South Africa!
On November 18th France, Portugal, Greece and
Slovenia completed the European qualifiers, and
Uruguay became the fifth team to qualify from South
America. Following the completion of the last round
of play-off matches we now know the full line-up of
teams that will be competing at the 19th FIFA World
Cup. The 204 countries that began the qualifying
campaign have been narrowed down to 32 teams who
will compete in South Africa.
Africa
Including the hosts South Africa, five countries at
the World Cup will represent Africa.
Algeria (ALG) – qualified November18th
Cameroon (CMR) – qualified November14th
Côte d'Ivoire (CIV) – qualified October 10th
Ghana (GHA) – qualified September 6th
Nigeria (NGA) – qualified November14th
South Africa (RSA) – did not need to qualify as
hosts (May 15th 2004)
Asia
An Asian team has never won the world cup, and to be
honest it looks to remain that way, although
Australia may hope to go one better than last time
out.
Australia (AUS) – qualified June 6th
Japan (JPN) – qualified June 6th
Korea DPR (PRK) – qualified June 17th
Korea Republic (KOR) – qualified June 6th
Europe
With 13 teams, Europe will have the most
representatives at South Africa 2010, and with the
Netherlands and Spain in good form, we may see the
World Cup returning to Europe.
Denmark (DEN) – qualified October 10th
England (ENG) – qualified September 9th
France (FRA) – qualified November18th
Germany (GER) – qualified October 10th
Greece (GRE) – qualified November18th
Italy (ITA) – qualified October 10th
Netherlands (NED) – qualified June 6th
Portugal (POR) – qualified November18th
Serbia (SRB) – qualified October 10th
Slovakia (SVK) – qualified October 14th
Slovenia (SVN) – qualified November18th
Spain (ESP) – qualified September 9th
Switzerland (SUI) – qualified October 14th
North, Central America and Caribbean
The USA will hope to build on the previous couple of
World Cup’s and take home the trophy for North
America.
Honduras (HON) – qualified October 14th
Mexico (MEX) – qualified October 10th
USA (USA) – qualified October 10th
Oceania
After winning the AFC v OFC Play-off New Zealand
will hope to get out of the group stages for the
first time ever.
New Zealand (NZL) – qualified November 14th
South America
Following Uruguay’s win over Costa Rica in the
CONCACAF v CONMEBOL Play-off, the South American
continent will have five representatives at the
World Cup, including five time winners and favorites
Brazil.
Argentina (ARG) – qualified October 14th
Brazil (BRA) – qualified September 5th
Chile (CHI) – qualified October 10th
Paraguay (PAR) – qualified September 9th
Uruguay (URU) – qualified November18th
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Fair or Foul?
You make the call! ... and how do you restart? |
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