Coed Soccer – 6 Boys Max, 5 Girls Ratio Procedural Updates As of Feb 1, 2018 Coed Soccer – 6 Boys Max, 5 Girls Ratio In-match communication is between ref ↔ Head Coach or captains (captains may be at bench or on pitch) Assistant coaches may only communicate with ref to request substitutions Dissent or abusive language from bench personnel (trainers, managers, admins) – card is shown to the HC (Yellow or Red)

Controlling the Match Hard for players to dissent while ball is in play Safety of players is priority #1 Pre-game, understand the makeup of the opposing teams Physical vs. Finesse You’ll be able to tell the playing styles in the first 5- 10 minutes Less finesse-oriented teams ramp up physicality in order to level the playing field.

Foul Type Refresher Trifling – contact that does not materially affect or disadvantage the opponent Careless – showing a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge Reckless – acting with disregard of the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent Requires yellow card (caution). Player must be removed from play until next legal sub opportunity. Coach may opt for a sub OR may choose to play short a player Excessive Force – exceeding the necessary use of force, endangering the safety of the opponent Requires red card (ejection from match). Team must play short for the remainder of match

Understanding Charging Most misunderstood foul in soccer Must be shoulder-to-shoulder in an upright position, within playing distance of the ball, with at least one foot on the ground, and arms held close to the body. (NFHS Rule 12.4.1) Playing distance to the ball is important – 5 or more yards away from the ball is not within playing distance, even at a full sprint! Shoulder-to-back, shoulder-to-chest, hip-checks – not fair charges. Does not meet definition in 12.4.1 The charge must be as part of an attempt to play the ball.

Understanding Charging pt 2… Fair charges can result in a player hitting the deck Opponents may differ in height or weight or both… and usually do! Taller players should take care where the arm is to avoid a foul Players shielding ball may be challenged, but not directly to the spine or center of back. Charges directed to these areas are at MINIMUM reckless.

Common Charging Mistakes Hitting the opponent without an attempt to play the ball is not legal. Follow-through contact by raising / extending the arm or forearm to push is not legal, even if the initial “hit” is shoulder-to-shoulder Area of contact and angle and force of impact is the primary consideration in determining safety Contact to spine, neck, or head is NEVER ok.

Charging Example Sanctions Careless – not shoulder-to-shoulder, or too close to center of back or chest Reckless – coming in at an angle and/or speed that leaves the charging player out of position to play the ball after contact Excessive Force – contact that is extremely violent and likely to produce injury Examples: leading with elbow / knee or driving through with shoulder on player’s blind side

Clues to Use for Charging Lowering shoulder right before contact Pushing off with the outside leg in an upward motion (aka. driving upward) Leaving feet prior to contact All are attempts to play the player, not the ball.

Persistently Infringing The caution for PI is one of the best tools a referee has PI can be single player committing multiples of the same or several different fouls PI can be a team committing multiple fouls against the same individual Note this card is written up as Unsporting Behavior and noted as “Team PI against Player #” Good man management: let the captain know the next foul by anyone on Player X will result in a PI card Showing a card for PI tells the players you are keeping track – they will modify their behavior accordingly

Reining in Goalkeepers Goalkeepers are field players outside the penalty area. The only extra privilege a GK has is the use of hands inside the penalty area. Going for the ball does not give a GK license to be reckless or use excessive force! Player safety trumps all facets of the match

One Last Note - Getting the Ball “I got the ball” is not a Get Out of Jail Free card. Getting the ball first does not necessarily make the challenge or tackle legal. Getting the ball and following through with the rest of the body in a careless or reckless manner or with excessive force DOES make the challenge or tackle ILLEGAL.