1. Identifying and Dealing with Fouls and Misconduct

2. TYPES OF FOULS Normal course of the game fouls, mistimed
Intimidation fouls
Frustration fouls
Tactical fouls

3. What elevates a foul to misconduct?
Objective
Identify a foul and if it involves misconduct, the appropriate card.
R.12.5
R.12.3

4. 2009 MLS Training Seminar – FINAL 1-29-2009
1/29/2009
HOW ARE THEY COMMITTEED
Severity of Challenge
Careless: Unfair or unsafe act
“The player has shown a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or that he acted without precaution.”
Red Card Tackles (continued)
Careless
“The player has shown a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or that he acted without precaution.”
In other words, the player has not exercised due caution in making a play. Normally exhibited as a miscalculation of strength or a stretch of judgment by the player committing the foul.
No disciplinary sanction is required.
Miscalculation of strength or
A stretch of judgment

5. 2009 MLS Training Seminar – FINAL 1-29-2009
1/29/2009
HOW ARE THEY COMMITTEED
Severity of Challenge
Reckless: Act clearly outside the norm for fair play, to intimidate or gain unfair advantage
“The player has acted with complete disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, his opponent.”
Yellow Card required

6. 2009 MLS Training Seminar – FINAL 1-29-2009
1/29/2009
HOW ARE THEY COMMITTEED
Severity of Challenge
Using Excessive Force: Act exceeding necessary force, placing the opponent in considerable danger of bodily harm.
“The player has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring his opponent.”
Red Card required

7. 2009 MLS Training Seminar – FINAL 1-29-2009
1/29/2009
FOUL SEVERITY MODEL
VC – SFP
DOGSO
USB
Foul +
Ejection
Foul +
Caution
No Foul
Foul
Excessive
Force
Careless
Reckless
This is an overview of a continuum of FOUL SEVERITY. The further along the continuum, the greater the likelihood the challenge will require official action on the part of the referee.
Remember,
USB is unsporting behavior. This requires a caution as the Laws state any RECKLESS tackle must be cautioned.
VC SFP is Violent conduct / serious foul play. These are challenges involving excessive force and endangering the safety of the opponent. Red cards are mandated by the Laws of the Game.
DOGSO

8. What elevates a foul to misconduct?
Direction of the contact
Time of contact (Opportunity to play the ball)
Intent of contact (Careless, reckless, excessive force).
Point of contact
Severity of contact (Aggressive nature).
Result of the contact.

9. What elevates a foul to misconduct?
Direction of the Contact (leg(s) position - straight or 2 legs)
from the front
from the side
from behind
Time of contact (Opportunity to play the ball)
before ball arrives
as the ball arrives
after ball is gone
during a “break away.”

10. What elevates a foul to misconduct?
Intent of the contact
intimidate
stop the play (tactical foul)
retaliate
injure
Point of the contact
head
ankle
knee
thigh
on the body

11. What elevates a foul to misconduct?
Severity of contact
 distance
speed
force
vertical
“launched”
elbow
Result of the contact
triggers retaliation
loss of referee control
stops a goal scoring opportunity
causes injury.

12. Critical Areas Location Penalty Area Near Bench Area
Off the field of play

13. What elevates a foul to misconduct?
Direction of the contact
Time of contact
Intent of contact
Point of contact
Severity of contact
Result of contact