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Rules 101 content provided by U.S. Soccer

Laws of the Game: Ask the Referee

In response to various questions, the following are responses from the National Referee Program Office:

MANAGEMENT OF INAPPROPRIATE PLAYER TALK

Question:
I am not fluent in Spanish, but I understand enough to distinguish between disagreement and a flurry of obscenity. Generally speaking, I punish obscenities in both languages equally.

Recently I was an assistant referee for a game where all the players spoke English, but some spoke Spanish too. After one foul call by the chief referee, a player let fly with a very "colorful" insult back at the CR. The CR (who speaks fluent Spanish, too) looked at him and gave him a verbal warning. In English, for everyone to hear.

After the game, I asked the CR if he would have responded the same way if the player had said the equivalent in English. He said no, it would have been straight red. His reasoning was that by choosing to use a language that fewer people understood, the player was doing the equivalent of mumbling under his breath. In other words, he didn't make it public.

I have to applaud the CR for his man management in this case. The game proceeded without further incident. But I'm wondering if this principle is one that can be used in general. Does switching to a second language give the players more liberty?

Answer:
Under the Law, a player is sent off for using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures. That incorporates the whole of human communication. "Liberty" must be defined within the context of the particular interaction. The Laws of the Game do not care which language a player, team official, referee or AR speaks. What is important under the Laws is what that person actually says or means or understands. None of that is necessarily language-dependent. Given that basis, our answer follows.

Yes, the player should probably have been sent off for an infringement of the Law, but the referee chose not to do it. It would seem that his manner of dealing with the use of the colorful language was correct for this particular incident. It might not have worked for all of us and it might not work for that referee with another player or in another game, but it worked here. However, it did work and that is one of the elements of good refereeing: to find a solution that works for everyone and ensures that the Spirit of the Game prevails.

Remember, whatever the language, a red card for abusive, insulting, or offensive language cannot really be justified if, in the opinion of the referee, no one was abused, insulted, or offended by it.

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WHAT TO DO WITH PLAYERS NOT ON ROSTER?

Question:
During check-in, I discover two players not listed on the team roster. I inform the coach that the two players cannot play. The coach goes nuts. I explain the league's policy regarding this matter. The coach gets hotter. I walk away. This coach fields a team and the two ineligible players are on the field. What do I do?

1. Start the game and after the ball moves forward, blow my whistle and red card the two ineligible players?
2. Have another discussion with the "hot" coach. If doesn't comply, call the game.
3. Get the other coach involved. Discuss the situation. Start the game and report the incident in my game report.

Answer:
As long as the names of the substitutes are given to the referee prior to the start of the Game, the Laws of the Game are satisfied. However, in this case you are dealing with the rules of a competition (league, cup, tournament, etc.) . By accepting an assignment in this competition, you have agreed to enforce the rules of the competition. This is an unquestionable fact.

The solution to your problem is either clear and simple or very complicated:

(1) If there is a fixed roster for the season, then the two "players" not on the official team roster may not play under any circumstances. It makes no difference whether the coach chooses to play or not to play the game; those "players" cannot play. Whatever the outcome of the discussion, submit full details in the match report.
(2) If the roster changes from game to game, then it's more complicated. In this case, if the two players have valid player passes for this team, then you should let them play. If they do not have valid player passes for this particular team, then follow the guidance in (1). In all cases, include full details in the match report.

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OFFSIDE NOT POSSIBLE WITH DEFENDER GUARDING POST?

Question:
Recently, I witnessed a U12 goal scored by working the ball in from a corner kick along the end line. Two attackers worked together to advance the ball to goal right along the endline. One of the attackers was standing on the endline (if not out of bounds) and received a 10 foot pass from the other attacker about 10 feet from the end line. That attacker received the ball and then passed it in front of the net for a third player to finish for a goal.

To me it seemed clear that the receiving player on the endline must have been offside since the defending team did not have players on the goal line or in the net, but did have a defender marking the near post. Three licensed and paid coaches later said a single defender on the goalpost, let alone 2 defenders, automatically makes the whole field onside. They also suggested that it does not matter if the goalkeeper is moved forward and that it only matters where the last non-keeper defender happens to be. I can not find any information to verify what they have said. Please help....

Answer:
Coach, we strongly hope you misunderstood these "licensed and paid" coaches, because if what you remember them saying is accurate, we are all in a lot of trouble, and referees working games involving these coaches and any of their players will be in for major problems when they attempt to enforce the Laws of the Game correctly.

For starters, no player can be called offside directly from a corner kick. As we read it, in your situation the critical action occurred after the corner kick had already been taken, when an attacker who was 10 feet upfield from the goal line sent a pass to a teammate who was "standing on the endline if not out of bounds." At the moment this pass occurred: "the defending team did not have players on the goal line or in the net, but did have defender marking the near post." Unfortunately, this accounts for only one defender. If that was indeed the only defender between the attacker and the goal line, then clearly the attacker was in an offside position and made contact with the ball when he "received a 10 foot pass," then there was an offside infringement.

However, your situation omits the goalkeeper. Where was the goalkeeper in all of this? Certainly, if the goalkeeper was well upfield from this "defender marking the near post," then the offside call would have been correct. If you and the "licensed and paid" coaches are simply ignoring the goalkeeper and the 'keeper was in fact on the goal line, then the attacker was NOT in an offside position and could not be called offside.

Warning to all coaches, players, and referees: Very few coaches, no matter how many certificates they may have earned, are as well aware of the Laws of the Game as they believe themselves to be. (Unfortunately, we must admit that this sometimes applies to referees as well.)

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Coaching Education content provided by the .NSCAA

Technical Corrections

by Jeff Tipping
NSCAA Regional Technical Director

The youth coach is the most important teacher of the game in our country. More important than the MLS coach, more important than National Team coaches, and more important than top-level college coaches. It is the youth coach who helps young players develop an appetite for the game and also develop the correct technical and tactical habits. Two of the most common technical flaws young players have are the inability to receive a ball and the inability to drive the ball forward with accuracy and velocity.

Receiving the ball with the inside of the foot is the most common way of controlling the ball but players must have their ankle locked as the ball makes contact, and to do this, the player must have the toe slightly pointed up. Players who have a loose ankle and their toe is pointed down will find it impossible to receive the ball especially if it's arriving with pace. Additionally, many players do not "see" the ball onto the body part. Players taking their eye off the ball at the moment of contact whether receiving or passing is a common reason for poor execution. The key teaching points in receiving the ball in soccer are:

1. Get in the line of flight of the ball.
2. Present the body part to the ball.
3. Eyes on the ball at the moment of contact.
4. Cushion the body part (as in catching an egg).

Furthermore, our players frequently have not been correctly taught how to strike a ball to make it go straight in the air with velocity. This technique must be taught correctly to players and one of the best methods is to show them NFL place kickers or MLS goalkeepers taking a goal kick. In both of these instances, the following techniques are demonstrated:

1. The ball must be "out of player's feet". Players cannot kick the ball over distance if it is underneath them.
2. Approach is slightly from the side.
3. The final step, which places the support foot alongside the ball, is a long hop or driving step. The support foot must be pointing toward the target.
4. Head must be steady, eyes on the ball.
5. Player drives through left of center (if using the right foot) to make the ball go straight, and right of center, if using the left foot.
6. Player's left hand points at the target (right foot).
7. Toe must be pointed down all the way through the kicking action.
8. Leg extends toward the target.

Rather than strike balls aimlessly into an empty net prior to practice, the coach should have players practice trying to hit the crossbar from the top of the penalty box.

The English Football Association's research indicated that it was almost impossible for players to cure technical flaws after the age of 14. This puts the burden of knowing how to teach the techniques of soccer on the youth coach, the most important coach in the country. This is why the NSCAA has such a heavy emphasis on technical training in the National Youth Diploma and the National Diploma. .

Editor's Note: from the December 8, 2004 issue of NSCAA's The Technical Area.

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College Planning content powered by NCSA Athletic Recruiting

NCSA RECRUITING CORNER

When to Apply to a School

With the fall right around the corner, seniors are in full swing thinking about their college applications. At NCSA, we are frequently asked, "When should I apply to a school of interest?" The answer to this question can vary depending on the situation, but there are a few things that should be considered before you apply. College applications take time and they cost money. Don't fill them out without covering all your bases.

1) Have you fully researched the school? You need to feel comfortable with the school as a whole, not just the soccer team. Do you meet their admissions requirements? Are there things to get involved in outside of soccer and academics?
2) Have you visited the school? Getting on campus and seeing the school with your own eyes, is an extremely important part of the process. It is best to visit a school before you complete an application and it is vital to do before you make your final decision.
3) Have you had contact with the coaching staff? If not, you should not apply to the school. If you are set on competing in college, you need to know that the coach has interest in you. This should be determined before you fill out an application.
4) Can your family afford the school? How much financial help would be necessary in order for you to be able to attend that school? Going to college is expensive and scholarships are becoming more and more difficult to come by. Think about the financial end before applying.

If you would go to a school with or without soccer, then feel free to apply, but if you want to compete at a school, you should take all of these questions into consideration prior to applying.

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About NCSA :
NCSA - "The Athletic Recruiting Network" (ARN) for college coaches, qualified student-athletes, their parents and high school coaches to expedite and maximize their college sports recruiting efforts. NCSA Athletic Recruiting changes lives by building leaders through sports and connecting four key communities involved in the college athletic recruitment process: qualified high school student-athletes and their families, high school coaches and athletic directors, college coaches, and professional partners such as the NFLPA, ESPN, and more.

NCSA is the leading collegiate recruiting source for more than 200,000 student-athletes and 35,000 college coaches across the country. By taking advantage of this extensive network, more than 90% of NCSA Athletic Recruiting-verified athletes go on to play at the collegiate level. In addition, NCSA educates over 4 million athletes and their parents about the recruiting process each year through educational resources at www.ncsasports.org, presentations of the critically-acclaimed seminar "College Recruiting Simplified," and the book from NCSA Athletic Recruiting, "Athletes Wanted."



WELCOME TO CAL SOUTH E-NEWS
Each monthly issue of Cal South E-News is loaded with free educational content broken into useful categories for parents, coaches, players and referees. Drop us a line and let us know how you like our newsletter. Enjoy!

NCSA Recruiting Corner
When to Apply to a School: With the fall right around the corner, seniors are in full swing thinking about their college applications. At NCSA, we are frequently asked, "When should I apply to a school of interest?" The answer to this question can vary depending on the situation... click for complete story

NSCAA Coaching Education
Technical Corrections: The youth coach is the most important teacher of the game in our country. It is the youth coach who helps young players develop an appetite for the game and also develop the correct technical and tactical habits. Two of the most common technical flaws young players have are... click for complete story

Provided by Nancy Clark, MS RD CSSD
Where did those ladies get their energy? If you watched the US Women's National Team this summer in the FIFA Women's World Cup, you couldn't have helped but see nutrition in action and marvel at the strength, power, and stamina of the talented women. Talk about the importance of sports nutrition... click for complete story

Cal South Official Press Release
How to Increase Your Concussion Awareness: With the fall 2011-2012 season coming up, parents, players and coaches should be aware of the extreme importance of having proper information at hand regarding concussion injuries and how to identify and deal with them... click for complete story

Laws of the Game - Ask the Referee
The USSF's National Referee Program office receives a multitude of inquiries regarding FIFA's Laws of the Game and numerous questions involving some often confusing rules and calls. Here is a quick sampling of recent topics and the resulting responses... click for complete story

We hope you enjoy this month's issue. If you have any comments, please send us an email at pjohnson@calsouth.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Coaching Education content provided by the .NSCAA

Developing Awareness in Young Players

by Jeff Tipping
NSCAA Regional Technical Director

As players approach adolescence, they should begin to develop an overall 360-degree awareness around them. Players must be exposed to exercises and games that force them to begin to think of the field as having two sides as well as length and depth. Just below are two suggested exercises to help coaches develop this kind of awareness.

From the Italian FA:
Three players without a ball are in a straight line. The two players on the outside are approximately 25 yards apart. They move randomly keeping the 25-yard distance anywhere they wish to move. The player in the middle must move with them and always stay on the imaginary line that connects the two outside players. It will be noted that to be able to maintain the middle position as required, the middle player must constantly use swivel vision. To make the exercise more demanding, give the player in the middle a ball, and then further complicate the exercise by giving a ball to each of the outside players.

From the Scottish FA:
Two 5v5 games going on side-by-side with a dividing line separating the two games. At any one moment in time, a player from one game can move over to the other game to create a 2v1, stop a fast break or add some attacking or defending advantage. Only one player from each team in each game may go over at any given time. This exercise also encourages players to get their head on a swivel..

Editor's Note: from the November 24, 2004 issue of NSCAA's The Technical Area.