Refereed a game between two Premier League teams’ U16 sides. After about a year and a half , I finally had my first caution for simulation; a pretty impressive swan dive after he cut into the box. I had a Level 3 on my line who said it took him 10 years before his first simulation. Out of interest, have you had many dives in your games and do you think it’s getting more common in the lower levels/ages of the game?
Simulation
- Thread starter alexv
- Start date
CapeTownRef
Member
It is still a problem at the lower levels of the game. Most players seem to believe that any form of contact (especially in the PA) constitutes foul play and will go to ground. As a general rule I will blow for simulation if the player arches his body before hitting the deck and give a yellow with my usual comment of "the judges have scored you 5.4 for artistic impression". At lower levels and youth games we rarely have ARs so the referees positioning is is crucial to see if it is fair play or foul. Simulation is cheating, but in my opinion so is claiming a throw-in, goal kick, or corner when the player knows it should go to the opposition - yet no yellow card is shown.
Personally I think simulation is worse than those other examples. Mainly because a lot of the time, it’s going to lead to a penalty and a card to the innocent player who ‘fouled’ him. But those other things are also very annoying. I think my favourite bit about simulation is when you penalise and they have a little strop at you for not letting them cheat
zarathustra
RefChat Addict
5 years and I've yet to have a caution for simulation.
My first and only simulation was also for an U16 Premier League side, it's sad that they are already at it at that age. Just copying what they see on tv.
one
RefChat Addict
Have one once every couple of seasons. My last one was two weeks ago and managed the initial body language and signal really poorly, in the sense that everyone's first though I was giving a pen. But after the caution the only unhappy player was the diver.
The one that stayed in my mind the most is one form about 7-8 seasons ago when I cautioned for simulation for a second yellow. Not a single player disagreed and all his team mates were very filthy with him.
The one that stayed in my mind the most is one form about 7-8 seasons ago when I cautioned for simulation for a second yellow. Not a single player disagreed and all his team mates were very filthy with him.
Had two last season, though it should have been three probably.
One was a blatant dive in the box, it was 1-1 but the opposition was down to nine men, so they were throwing the kitchen sink looking for a winner to no avail. I was assessed that day and got the plaudits for the simulation caution on top of the double red.
Second (and third) was in a one-sided match, two different players did very dramatic dives in the middle of the pitch. They were tackled fairly and they were no where near needing to evade or anything, they just swan dived. I cautioned one and left the other because an attack was happening and I ended up losing who it was. That one was just a bizarre day.
And this season I've had one flop-dive in the box, with no one near the guy, but I elected to leave it as they were getting hammered and I was halfway towards wondering whether he lost his balance in the run into the box, so I was being generous and let him off. My AR on the day agreed with the call on game management grounds, but felt I should caution him if the game was a tighter affair, which I can agree with.
Pretty rare incidents though, or perhaps I miss the other ones and am getting conned? Who knows.
One was a blatant dive in the box, it was 1-1 but the opposition was down to nine men, so they were throwing the kitchen sink looking for a winner to no avail. I was assessed that day and got the plaudits for the simulation caution on top of the double red.
Second (and third) was in a one-sided match, two different players did very dramatic dives in the middle of the pitch. They were tackled fairly and they were no where near needing to evade or anything, they just swan dived. I cautioned one and left the other because an attack was happening and I ended up losing who it was. That one was just a bizarre day.
And this season I've had one flop-dive in the box, with no one near the guy, but I elected to leave it as they were getting hammered and I was halfway towards wondering whether he lost his balance in the run into the box, so I was being generous and let him off. My AR on the day agreed with the call on game management grounds, but felt I should caution him if the game was a tighter affair, which I can agree with.
Pretty rare incidents though, or perhaps I miss the other ones and am getting conned? Who knows.
santa sangria
RefChat Addict
Also only 2 cards in 7 years.
In my part of the world it seems vety rare.
Though there was one game abroad with loads of playacting: introducing the artists of Benfica U10s. They rolled around from the start to the end. It was so ridiculous that I had to "leave bodies".... I can't remember how many times I used the "get up" gesture. Obviously I had to be sure every time. Got massive thanks for their coaches after, even though they lost!
In my part of the world it seems vety rare.
Though there was one game abroad with loads of playacting: introducing the artists of Benfica U10s. They rolled around from the start to the end. It was so ridiculous that I had to "leave bodies".... I can't remember how many times I used the "get up" gesture. Obviously I had to be sure every time. Got massive thanks for their coaches after, even though they lost!
No yellows for simulation in 11 years... that’s a skill that they didn’t possess 
one
RefChat Addict
He is only human, after all.or maybe your foolish, maybe your blind!
Don’t put the blame on me! 
Dino Ref
Well-Known Member
This thread's a bit old but just gave my first one yesterday. Adult game however very low level. The player who did it didn't complain, his team however did. After the game overheard him in the changing rooms saying "yeah I did dive". This is my 3rd season.
