Lots to do about nothing

[pdhmobile]

Hi all

I know you will all say you can't comment without seeing the incidents but the last games I've done have been quite scrappy.

By scrappy I mean challenges like both players running side by side arm out, but if grabbing, both sides shouting for a foul and I'm thinking 6 and 2 3's for me so let it go.

Other challenges, yes they may have been contact as a player went for the ball and didn't get it but the player with the ball retained possession and play continued.

Some people of shouting for these and I'm thinking I could potentially give those but the game will just consist of free kicks.

I'm really starting to doubt myself

 

[Viridis1886]

They happen. Not a lot you can do about it.

If you feel as though you need to give a few, there's often a defensive free-kick somewhere to be had.

 

[socal lurker]

Advice I have been given is that we need to remember (at least until high levels) that the game is for the players. If players on both teams seem to feel the foul bar is too high, than lower it and call some of the stuff you've been letting go. (The flip side is also true.)

An additional thought on this one: "Other challenges, yes they may have been contact as a player went for the ball and didn't get it but the player with the ball retained possession and play continued." Keeping possession doesn't mean it wasn't a foul. If it was a foul and the player keeps possession in a way that is better than the FK would be loudly call and visibly signal advantage--don't just skip calling the foul. Not only is it procedurally correct, but it tells the player that you are on top of things. Sometimes at lower levels, the players just want the foul--not even because the FK is better, but because they want the recognition of the foul.

(Aside: When I was coached 14U girls, a dad became unhinged when the referee gave a great advantage call when his daughter was cleaned out badly, but the ball went directly to one of our other players who had a 1 on 1 with the keeper. I tried to explain soccer advantage to him, and he was having none of it because it was his daughter who was fouled. I knew the ref and the ref's day (also a ref) and later passed on to the Dad that it was a beautiful advantage call--but the learning moment is that he should have gone back to caution the reckless foul once the ball went out of play.)

 

[JamesL]

A phrase I use which may or may not work for you is "mutual holding". Players seem to understand that at the level.i am at that where they are both holding they just have to get on with it. If foul contact happens, if it's a foul and the player continues, you could signal advantage but be wary of over using it. Maybe giving a free kick or 2 might nip it in the bud. Have to judge to on case by case basis.