Into The Book - Episode 7 - March, 2023

Written By Kevin Broadley

We are well into the Spring Youth Season, Adult Amateur Seasons have begun and we’re starting up with Adult Semi Pro leagues. Referees across the state have been working hard, covering hundreds of matches each weekend with a lot of decisions to be made. We’re going to continue with our focus on some Points of Emphasis for Spring 2023 and bring a bigger focus this episode on the offside interpretation of Deliberate play vs Not Deliberate for Law 11 - Offside.

2023 Spring CRO Points of Emphasis

Coaching / Technical Area Behavior: We are two years into the Law changes that allow Referees to give formal misconduct to coaches. Warnings, Yellow Cards and Red Cards can all be given to coaches for behaviors listed in the Laws of the Game. We will give examples of some of these behaviors as well as ways in which referees can deal with those behaviors when they arise in your matches.

Updated Offside Interpretation: While the actual Law 11 has not changed a lot over the years the interpretation of Offside has evolved yet again. We will give more examples of how to judge deliberate vs deflection as an Assistant Referee and a Referee with the new interpretation.

Foul Recognition and differentiation: A big argument can be made that this is the most important part of our job as referees. We will spend some time talking about general foul recognition over the season, however, we will mainly focus on developing our ability to decide what type of foul occurred. Was it Careless or Reckless or did it involve excessive force? Could it be SPA or DOGSO? It is important for us a referees to not only be able to make a foul decision but also issue misconduct and protect players when necessary.

Into The Book - Episode 7

Law 11 - Interpretations of Deliberate play vs Not Deliberate for Offside Decisions

When determining whether contact with the ball was a deliberate or not deliberate play, we considered:

  • Action vs. Reaction

  • Ability to see the ball

  • Distance

  • Time

  • Speed of the ball

  • Movement to the ball

 

—>

THEN

Does the player make a CLEAR MOVEMENT towards the ball and have CONTROL OF THEIR BODY?

NOW

Does the player make a CLEAR MOVEMENT towards the ball and have CONTROL OF THEIR BODY & THE BALL?

Deliberate play = No Offside offense / Not Deliberate - Offside

Action vs. Reaction: Is the action by the defender a purposeful action that they have time to decided on and make OR is the action a natural reaction to the ball being played at them? Was the defender stretching for the ball?

Action = Deliberate play / Reaction / stretching = Not Deliberate

Ability to see the ball: Did the defender have a clear view of the ball or was their view obstructed by other defenders or attackers?

Clear View = Deliberate play / Obstructed view = Not Deliberate

Distance: Was the ball played from the from a long distance or short distance close to the defender?

Longer distance = Deliberate play / Short Distance = Not Deliberate

Time: How much time did the defender have to control or attempt to control the ball before it got to them?

Enough time to clearly make a decision =Deliberate play / Limited time and must react = Not Deliberate

Speed of the ball: was the ball moving fast or slow as it was coming towards the defender?

Balling is moving slow = Deliberate play / Balling is moving fast = Not Deliberate

Movement of the ball: was the movement and direction of the ball expected or unexpected?

Expected = Deliberate play / Unexpected = Not Deliberate

Definition of a Deliberate play: when a player has control of the ball with the possibility of

  • Passing the ball to a teammate

  • Gaining possession of the ball

  • Clearing the ball (e.g., by kicking or heading it)

If any of those three actions is either inaccurate or unsuccessful, this does not negate the fact that it was a deliberate play.

Let’s sum it up. What makes a deliberate play?

  • The ball travelled from distance and the player had a clear view of it

  • The ball was not moving quickly

  • The direction of the ball was not unexpected

  • The player had time to coordinate their body movement

  • It was not a case of instinctive stretching or jumping, or a movement that achieved limited contact/control

  • A ball moving on the ground is easier to play than a ball in the air

  • Was the defender stretching for the ball

What has changed?

Soccer does not want to punish a defender for instinctual movement but a defender or for movements that don’t have high likelihood of controlling the ball. When a defender is reacting or stretching for a ball with their leg or head, they don’t have a high likelihood of controlling the ball. Thus, it is not a deliberate play on the ball, it is a deflection that goes to an attacker.

  • Control of the Body + Control (or likelihood of control) of the Ball = Deliberate Play
    You must evaluate the likelihood of control before the ball gets to the defender.

  • When a player is stretching for a ball and makes limited contact, these plays should not be considered a deliberate play.
    This still holds true even if the defender has run a long distance before reaching to attempt to play a ball.

  • The player should be able to comfortably control and play the ball.

  • A match official is not responsible for a possible mistake or bad technique.

    To be considered a deliberate play, the Referee must be 100% sure.  If there is doubt about control of the body and control of the ball, consider the situation a deflection/offside.

In all of these videos you can assume the attacker is in an offside, even if they are not in view of the camera at the kick point.

Why is this a deliberate play?

The ball is played from a long distance and does not travel fast. This gives the black defender time and space to judge the ball, he is unobstructed by any other players and is in control of his body. He is able to control and pass the ball with his chest towards is own goal keeper. All of these considerations lead us to a DELIBERATE PLAY BY THE DEFENDER.

Why is this play not deliberate?

The ball is played at the defender from a medium distance away but is played at a fast pace with force and in the air. The defender only has time to REACT to the ball being played at him. While he may be in control on his body he must instinctively lifts his leg. A defender lifting their leg this high has a LOW Likelihood of controlling the ball. All of these considerations lead us to a NOT DELIBERATE PLAY BY THE DEFENDER.

Kevin Broadley
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Into the Book - Episode 8 - April, 2023
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Into the Book - Episode 6 - Feb, 2023