Question Number: 23798

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/20/2010

RE: Select Under 11

Bob Dawson of Camarillo, ca usa asks...

In Paul Gardner's Aug. 20th, 2010 Soccer Talk column, he states: 'This is what the rule book says on the matter of contact when tackling: a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player "tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball."

That's clear enough, but there's a major problem. That is what the rule book used to say. That wording was removed in 2008, without explanation.  The rule book no longer deals with this aspect of contact. There is only one conclusion to be drawn: that it is now acceptable to trip or otherwise flatten a player, as long as you then -- afterward -- manage some sort of contact with the ball.'

Can you all please comment on this?

For the Beautiful Game,
--bd--

Bob Dawson, Coach Administrator
AYSO Region 68
Camarillo, Calif.

AYSO is:
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Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

IFAB, the folk who write the laws, do not approach language this way. When they believe 'everyone knows' something, they remove the words in the interest of simplicity. The change in Law 12 does not change how the law is to be applied. The law now simply recites that the tackle be careless (reckless or with excessive force) to be foul..

However, the player's myth that 'I got ball' was a complete defense in tackling was never correct. Whether a tackle is fair or foul will depend on a number of factors: from the side or behind; contact with the ball before contact with an opponent; the speed and force used, the angle of approach (height of the foot or hips), what is done with the other leg, etc.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
There was a subtle change where the wording was changed to
'' A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force ........
# tackles an opponent''
So referees have now indeed greater powers than before as it is now a foul where the referee believes that the contact in the tackle is careless, reckless or using excessive force at any time.
So it is not possible to flatten or trip a player in a challenge and then make contact with the ball. Indeed even if a player makes contact with the ball first and the challenge is reckless or uses excessive force further sanction beyond a foul is required either by way of a caution or a dismissal. So the player that 'flattens' could find himself dismissed if excessive force was used.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The removal of the language after 'tackles an opponent' (the 'to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball.' language) makes the determination of the commission of the offense a little easier to call, not harder. It is never okay to flatten a player and go through them to get a ball and never has been. That is an unfair and punishable tackle whether it was in the 'just has to happen' category of DFKs or is in the CRIEF section of DFKs. As such, I would beg to differ with 'just one conclusion to draw'.

What the IFAB did was create more room for referees to use 'tackles an opponent' as a tool to control the game. They moved it from the 'just has to happen' category which still includes spitting, holding and deliberately handling the ball, and moved it up with the offenses which must be careless, reckless or use excessive force.

The old wording was clumsy and confusing. The new wording is simple, direct and gives the referee lots more room on what is or is not an unfair tackle.