I refereed U15s yesterday and had an interesting tactic by one particular player. When his team was defending a goal kick, or defensive free kick, he would closely mark an opposition player and follow him around everywhere - sometimes blocking his path causing contact, sometimes just jumping back and forth around him. It looked odd, a little like some of the marking that goes on in netball 'to keep your space'.
The player being marked, was clearly getting wound up by this 'overexcited puppy', but I didn't feel he was actually doing anything wrong. I did warn them both a couple of times that I was watching and couple of general "Hands down" as the kicks were taken, but once the kick was taken he didn't commit any fouls.
My main worry was that the marked player would react and get himself in trouble.... fortunately he didn't, but any tips as to other ways to deal with this. Not come across it before....
The player being marked, was clearly getting wound up by this 'overexcited puppy', but I didn't feel he was actually doing anything wrong. I did warn them both a couple of times that I was watching and couple of general "Hands down" as the kicks were taken, but once the kick was taken he didn't commit any fouls.
My main worry was that the marked player would react and get himself in trouble.... fortunately he didn't, but any tips as to other ways to deal with this. Not come across it before....