The Ref Stop

Pushing

John White

John White

New Member
Level 7 Referee
Hi guys, I refereed in my first tournament yesterday, it was an u14 11v11 tournament and I refereed 12 matches, I was knackered at the end!

I found though that pretty much every time the ball went in the air (mainly off a goalkick) the attacking team would appeal for a push in the back when they jumped to head the ball. Now, I was watching out for them but there was never a blatant push in the back, although sometimes when the attackers landed they would stumble and ask for a free kick.

If I gave a free kick for every single 'push', I'd be blowing every couple of seconds and every time they competed a header. Just interested to see what you judge as a push in the back, and what you say to the players who constantly appeal for fouls even when there isn't one?

Cheers,

John :)
 
The Ref Stop
Hi John,

Players are allowed to have their arm out to maintain distance but as long as there is no clear movement towards the opponent I generally let them go.

I hope this helps you.

Dave
 
I had something similar to this players who were battling for the ball were pushing each other and locking arms, and they were going to lead to free kicks, I managed it and just called "arms down lads" and there arms went down and it prevented free kicks and kept the game flowing!
 
Players' arms are going to be raised as it's a natural act of jumping. Unfortunately, that age do tend to forget that it is a contact sport and sometimes an opponent will make contact with you in a way that is fair. A push is an obvious movement that affects the jump of an opponent.

At that age and level (OP), if it's consistently happening, I may well speak to the captains together and explain, and maybe the manager(s) too at an appropriate time if the young skippers don't seem to grasp the idea.

Communicate, but also don't make it appear that you're missing fouls. Call out the no fouls (which you probably were) as they happen. Ensure your positioning is correct for the ball dropping so you can be confident and correct.
 
I would concur with the above comments - it can be difficult to spot, but I try and judge who was 'travelling' into the challenge. For example, the attacker makes a standing jump, but the defender has taken a couple of steps into the challenge - then more likely to give a push. Likewise, defender under ball and standing, while attacker backs into him more likely to be a FK to defender.

In the case of both standing, or both travelling to the ball, I try and judge the position of the arms - straight arm, elbow locked will usually be seen as infringement, whereas 'soft arm' with bent elbow is more of a 'checking where he is' contact.

I also look at the players eyes - if they are totally focused on the ball, or if they are looking at where the opponent is.

At the end of the day - if you think it's a foul, then it is a foul. They can appeal all they like, but as long as you are consistent then they can't complain.
 
This happens generally at any level of football from U14 upwards. Both teams will try to claim for fouls on the most minimal of contacts to try and throw you off you game and help their team. The important thing is to stay true to your game and only give free kicks when you believe there is a foul. Settle on your own tolerance level and try to remain consistent with it, although this comes with experience.

[quote="

If I gave a free kick for every single 'push', I'd be blowing every couple of seconds and every time they competed a header.
[/quote]

This is the best attitude to take and don't be afraid to say this to coaches when they evidently complain about a foul they claim you missed. If they continue to complain throughout the game don't be afraid to go over and make it clear that you have explained your point to them and encourage them to concentrate on their team's football and not trying to referee the game for you (or some other warning of that nature). The important thing is to look like you are clued up and in control of calling what is a foul and what is not.

This will all come with experience but I hope this helps.
 
Welcome to the world of middle-youth football! This will be the case with nearly every match. Just keep saying "No foul!" when there is no foul and consider cautioning a player if he is particularly vocal about it/persistent in his protests.
 
Thanks for the advice! I've found that attackers increasingly (in the matches i've refereed and watched at grassroots) don't jump for the ball and claim a push in the back by the defender, but I guess it's more a case of correct positioning by the ref to make sure you see what actually happens.
 
That's the worst. My usual answer is that if you don't go up for the ball, you'll have a hard time getting a call.
 
For me, it has got to be a very blatant push. Like someone stated earlier, you could end up blowing every few seconds. Anybody treat pushing differently in the box?
 
I think everyone says they try to treat it the same, but it's easier said than done - for me it's gotta be blatant in the box, but you can get away with giving 'lesser' fouls anywhere else on the pitch
 
As others have said, has to be a blatant push for me to give it I.e. two hands into the back. I really struggled to understand where the limit was in some of my early games and was blowing up every two seconds. Now most of the time it's just get on with it as almost all the time both parties will be at it so who do you penalise.
 
I had a very interesting one last week. Attacker would move under the ball but then not jump, while the defender would time his run in and jump to win the ball. Minimal contact between the 2 players. First few times it hapened there was uproar "in the back ref!", "on his shoulders ref!" but from what I was seeing, the attacker was just not making a challenge. Third time it happened I snapped back at the complaints "Its not a foul, but you could tell your forward to bloody jump for the ball and not just stand there like a statue when the ball comes to him in the air"

Generally with pushing, set your stall out early as to what you will tolerate, the players will soon comply when their team mates start bollocking them for giving away soft free kicks. And never, ever mention to teams or captins before kick off that you will be watching pushing - seems to encourage them to claim for every tiny bit of contact! Learned that one the hard way!
 
The second paragraph raises a couple of points. At the centre circle I'd advise referees not to commit themselves to anything. You can manage that game in the first ten minutes without having to say you'll do X or look for Y. Just be you.

A push is a push. Contact is not necessarily a push. A player who backs in making no attempt for an aerial challenge is a dangerous thing when an opponent is committed to winning a header fairly.

It's about foul recognition and your positioning, and it'll come with every match experience. Be consistent, be fair, be communicative. =]
 
Grayson said:
A player who backs in making no attempt for an aerial challenge is a dangerous thing when an opponent is committed to winning a header fairly.
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If the one player deliberately backs into the jumping player and has made no attempt to win the ball themselves I have blown for charging. The "charging" player initially thought the foul was for him as the jumper ended up going over the top of him, but once I told him "no" it was for his deliberate backing into the jumper he never said a word. I'm not sure the rest of his team understood it though.
That said though, a friendly I did the other day (Div 2 team v Div 5 team), there was only one foul given for pushing (he actually made contact with the opponents head - and no arguments), and not a single claim of "in the back ref". I think that this must be the first game I have reffed where I haven't heard it.
 
Supermonkey said:
I had a very interesting one last week. Attacker would move under the ball but then not jump, while the defender would time his run in and jump to win the ball. Minimal contact between the 2 players. First few times it hapened there was uproar "in the back ref!", "on his shoulders ref!" but from what I was seeing, the attacker was just not making a challenge. Third time it happened I snapped back at the complaints "Its not a foul, but you could tell your forward to bloody jump for the ball and not just stand there like a statue when the ball comes to him in the air"
Click to expand...

This one, I say you either challenge for the ball or I call you on a foul for trying to undercut the player who does jump.
 
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