The Weekly Soccer Referee Blog – Volume 16 Issue 11 – Flying Tackle

The Weekly Soccer Referee Blog

Sharpening Referee Knowledge and Judgment, One Week at a Time

Volume 16, Issue 11 – March 17, 2024

Please forward this Blog to your fellow soccer officials or tell them about it.  This is one of the tools we can use to keep sharp during the year.

The purpose of this Blog is so we can all learn from each other’s experience and by doing so, avoid mistakes, make more consistent calls, and do a better job. I don’t have to make any of this up – this is what happens on the pitch.

Quote of the Week:

“Why aren’t you cautioning that?  You just cautioned my player for that 5 minutes ago.”

From a coach who was correct – the Center had cautioned his player for the same thing (delaying the restart after the whistle by kicking the ball away) around 5 minutes ago.  So the referee cautioned the coach for asking why the same penalty wasn’t applied to the opponent when the Center didn’t call things the same.  Bad, Bad, Bad.

This Week’s Question – Flying Tackle

On a Senior Night Game between two IHSA Teams…

The score is lop-sided at this point, with Team A having mustered a single goal, and Team B having 5 goals.

You see B22, who is both fast and skilled evade several defenders, and is headed into Team A’s Penalty Area straight towards the Goal Line and not towards the goal.

At this point, you see A1 execute a crude flying tackle into B22.  The tackle connects with B22 and misses the ball completely.

There are several Team A defenders in the area, along with the goalkeeper.

You Make the Call:

What is the call?

What is the restart?

Last Week’s Question: – Bad Place, Bad Time

On a Senior Night Game between two IHSA Teams…

As the game progresses, it is clear Team B is passing to foot, and Team A isn’t.  Player A4 nonetheless manages to get the ball into Team B’s penalty area, and reaches the goal area where A4 is surrounded by four Team B defenders.  A4 is a younger player, and the Team B defenders, while average size, out weigh A4 and are all taller.

Each of the Team B defenders is trying to dispossess A4 of the ball using their feet, and legally charging (as all are within playing distance).  You are around 8 yards out and watching through the gaps, moving for a better view each time you are blocked by action.

You see B9 plant their foot ahead of the ball as A4 tries to kick it.  A4 goes over the ball (all ball – you see no contact with B9) and falls as a result.

The Team A Coach who is 80 yards away is howling for a PK.

You Make the Call:

What is the Call?

What is the Restart?

What You Said:

Referee 1:

This seems top walk a fine line between ‘accident’ and ‘trip’. Did B9 intend to trip A4 by blocking the ball or was B9 attempting to block a shot on goal?

We do not get to measure intent. We can only call what we see. For me this is a non-call. Play on.

Referee 2:

Sounds like the ball stays in play?  If so, the call is PLAY ON and there is no restart.

The Answer:

A lot to unpack here.

Team A’s offense – where WERE they?

Team B’s defense was present and working hard.

B9 plants his foot, and A4 goes over the BALL.  No contact with B9.

Can the Ball commit a foul?  Nope.

Despite the screaming for a PK, this is nothing.  If you stop to address the coach, give him/her/they a Caution for Dissent and restart with an Indirect Free Kick to Team B where the ball was when you decided the coach needed to be quieted down.

If you stop because the player is injured by going over the ball, it’s a drop ball to Team B, since this occurred in the Team B Penalty Area.

This is a free service.  No advertising is solicited; no “donations” are requested.

Tags: AR, assistant referee, caution, dissent, Ejection, FIFA, flying tackle, foul, NCAA, NFHS, NISOA, red card, referee, soccer, soccer ref, Soccer Referee, sports, USSF, Yellow Card