Question Number: 23787

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/16/2010

RE: rec Adult

alex of richmond hill, ontario canada asks...

An attacker is pushing the ball forward. A defender came in from the side and poke the ball away. Maybe it is the lack of skill for the attacker, he keep going through with a kicking motion toward the location where the ball is now been replaced by the foot of the defender after the ball was poked away for over one second.

Now obviously the attacker is complaining that he get kicked or tripped. How would you make the call? No foul and let play continues? Defender tripping the attacker? Attacker kicking the defender?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

This sounds similar to a classic slide tackle. If the tackler, after getting the ball away, raises his leg or body to get the player who had the ball, it is a trip. But if the tackler stays low to the ground, the player who originally had the ball is expected to jump over the leg.

Of course, a player making a tackle is not allowed to try to go through another player, whether she got the ball or not.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

In deciding a fair tackles, the referee will consider a number of factors:
- did the defender come from the side?
- did the defender make contact with the ball first?
- how close is the defender's foot to the ground? the defender's hips?
- what has the defender done with the other leg?
- is the speed and force of the tackle appropriate?

I find that pointing and loudly stating 'good tackle' helps when I let play continue. It indicates to the attacker that I am close (he can hear my voice) that I saw it and judged it fair. Even if the player or teammates strongly disagree with the call, they know where I was and that I saw what happens. Presence and confidence helps sell the close call. YMMV.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alex
What you have described is a fair challenge where the defender plays the ball first and then there is contact afterwards between the players. Play should be allowed to continue
The skill for the referee is determining the timing in the challenge and if the contact is with the attacker first and then the ball afterwards that is a foul. The referee will also take into account the skill levels of the players, the conditions etc in making his decision.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I'll have to disagree to some extent. You say the defender's foot is on the ground for a full second and then the attacker kicks his foot? Whether this is a foul or not is going to depend to a great degree on the skill level of the players. You list this as 'adult rec' which could mean anything from highly skilled players in the upper levels of a recreational league to a bunch of overweight 55 year old men who have never played soccer before and are just there to get out of the house and to get drunk after the game.

If these are highly skilled players, I would expect the attacker to be able to avoid the defenders foot given a second to do so. A bunch of old businessmen just out to run around a bit before they pass out, no.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The description sounds like no foul has occurred. The defender comes in from the side, gets ball first, foot is on the ground where ball was previously located , and attacker trips over it. Bad luck for the attacker.

Unless the defender did something else with his foot/leg/other leg which caused the attacker to get kicked or to tripped or came in so hard and fast that his momentum carried him into or through the attacker, I just cannot see an offense here.

There are many things which could change this decision, but based on the information given, I would say the attacker needs to get on with the game.