Into The Book - Episode 10 - July, 2023
2023 Summer 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 10
Additional things to note about this Video 1 - It is next to the benches. You will have to manage and prevent substitutes and coaches from entering the field and creating additional problems. As a referee if you are unsure at the moment it happens of what color card you will have it is okay to wait and talk to your crew. Part of your pre-game talk should cover non-verbal communication so that you can communicate Yellow or Red Cards. If you now the color Card take it out but it is okay to think and then bring out the card if you need to. Just be aware of the additional management problems that can occur here.
Video 2 - DOGSO vs SPA Decision
Watch this video and pause it at :17 seconds and make your decision. Once you’ve made your decision continue watching and we will walk you through making this DOGSO Decision.
Important talking points from Video 2:
Be aware of when pressure increases and expect a turnover to happen
Start to think about SPA vs DOGSO early making note of where defenders and attackers are
Take your snapshot on time. If you don’t take the snapshot you will be fooled into thinking more defenders are back than actually are.
Don’t let distance keep you from saying DOGSO. If the attacker will clearly beat all the defenders to the goal before they get to challenge him then it is still DOGSO.
Video #1 we’re going to Focus on Foul Recognition and Differentiation a little and sprinkle on a game management at the end.
Let’s start out with the location of this challenge. It is directly in front of the benches. Everyone’s awareness must be high for any challenge around the technical areas.
Now for the teamwork part of this decision. The referee is in good position, maybe a few steps closer wouldn’t hurt but they have a clean view of the challenge. The 4th official is always going to be in a better position to see this foul because of proximity and the way the black player comes in the referee may be partially blocks from seeing all of the challenge.
What parts of the puzzle does the referee have? Speed - The referee can see how far the black player travels. Force - Only part of it. That the white player has put all their weight on the front left foot Point of contact - Possibly but not likely. Mode of Contact - Possibly but not likely
What parts of the puzzle does the 4th official (or AR1 in a game without a 4th) have? Speed - The 4th can see how far the black player travels. Force - They can see that the white player has put all their weight on the front left foot and that the black player makes full straight leg contact. Point of contact - Yes, they can see that the POC is the shin / upper ankle. Mode of Contact - Yes, they can see the mode of contact is the bottom of the foot / Studs.
Through Team work we get to a Red Card for Serious Foul Play.