Mass Confrontation U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program Online Training Script: Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 7 Referee Course. Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the amateur adult game. This presentation focuses on mass confrontation. Classroom Instructor Talking Points: U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program Grade 7 Referee Course Amateur Adult Training

Game Disrepute Minimum of 1 player from each team Aggressive behavior Provocation Directed toward officials or players Dead ball situations Can lead to mass confrontation Online Training Script: The definition of game disrepute involves at least one player from each team adopting an aggressive attitude towards each other or the match officials. Game disrepute often happens when the ball is out of play since the players feel at liberty to confront each other because play is stopped. If not managed by the referee, these situations can lead to misconduct or mass confrontation Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Mass Confrontation 3 or more players in total Aggressive behavior Intimidation Physical contact Potential for misconduct Directed toward officials or players To prevent Mass Confrontation – be the third person in! Online Training Script: Mass confrontation is defined as the concerted actions of three or more players regardless of what team they are from. This includes when players are trying to intimidate officials to influence a current or future decision, or when players swarm one another. Referees must be aware that mass confrontation between players can often lead to physical contact that warrants misconduct. Mass confrontation often starts because of a dispute between two players. A referee (or AR) may be able to prevent mass confrontation by intervening quickly between the two players and becoming the “third player” before one of the players can do so. If an official is present, other players are less likely to join in the physical confrontation. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Responsibility Be prepared Discuss in pre-game conference Recognize warning signs Safety Location Playmakers Intervene and defuse Act quickly to avoid further escalation Online Training Script: The referee must be prepared for game disrepute and mass confrontation, and it is important that referees officiating the amateur adult game discuss these topics in the pre-game conference.   Game disrepute and mass confrontation often follow an incident that is sensitive to players like a hard foul in front of the bench or a foul where the safety of a player is endangered.  Officials should recognize these warning signs and failure to do so or a slow response by the referee can result in further escalation. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Warning Signs Severity of foul Area of contact Skill level of player fouled Score Challenges off the ball Situations when players are on ground Goalkeeper collisions Set pieces Online Training Script: NOTE – there are intentionally no animations on this slide. Instructors should conduct a general discussion of Warning Signs instead of going through the list one by one. Understanding the potential warning signs can help referees better avoid and manage game disrepute and mass confrontation. Game disrepute and mass confrontation can happen at any time in the match so the referee team must be prepared and not let their guard down and get complacent. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Triangle of Control Online Training Script: When instances escalate to mass confrontation, U.S. Soccer recommends that officials use the triangle of control. This approach should be covered in the pre-game conference and allows officials to better monitor and manage these situations when they arise. The first step is for one official, usually the referee, to immediately intervene to separate and disperse the group of players. If this does not work, then other officials become involved and form the triangle of control. Once mass confrontation becomes evident, the referee should step back and observe the situation while the assistant referees also take up a vantage point to observe the actions of the players. When taking up these vantage points, the referee team should form a triangle around the confrontation that maximizes the sight angles from which to monitor the situation and gather information. As the situation settles, officials should attempt to channel opposing players away from the center of the confrontation in a positive, non-threatening manner. Once the situation is under control and players have been separated, the referee must dispense the appropriate punishment after ensuring he or she has solicited input from the entire referee team. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Management Be prepared Recognize and act quickly Triangle of control Observe and record Issue misconduct as needed Restart game Include details in game report Online Training Script: Same as earlier … discuss, don’t “click and review” Remember that game disrepute and mass confrontation should be covered in the pre-game conference. The referee team should recognize any potential warning signs and take action immediately to avoid escalation. If mass confrontation does take place, the referee team should use the triangle of control to monitor and manage the situation. Once the incident is under control and all disciplinary matters have been dealt with, the game is restarted. All details of the incident should be accurately recorded and submitted in the game report. Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Review Question Which of the following best describes game disrepute? At least one player from each team adopting an aggressive attitude towards each other or the match officials At least three players from each team adopting an aggressive attitude towards each other or the match officials Online Training Script: Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Review Question How many players are involved when describing mass confrontation? At least one from each team At least three regardless of which team they are from Online Training Script: Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Review Question Should referees avoid discussing game disrepute and mass confrontation in the pre-game conference? Yes No Online Training Script: Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Review Question Should officials recognize the warning signs of game disrepute and mass confrontation and attempt to deal with these proactively? Yes No Online Training Script: Classroom Instructor Talking Points:

Though this would be really cool Review Question When mass confrontation breaks out among the players, what approach should the referee team use to manage the situation? Circle of trust Triangle of control Iron triangle Referee rhombus Online Training Script: Classroom Instructor Talking Points: Though this would be really cool