What to look for in a foul

[refnrev]

[QUOTE=wardtc]I've gone through the laws, and some of the many "Advice to refs..." but lets hear your thoughts. What do you look for in a play that makes it a foul in your mind.

1) Let's say it is a hard slide tackle from the front and the defender's momentum after contacting the ball knocks down the attacker (foul or no foul) Did he get all ball or not? Did he go in "studs up?" Did he get him from the back?

2) Two players are chasing down a loose ball. As they approach the ball, one player shoulder bumps (charges) the other, nudges him off course, and collects the ball. (foul or no foul)? What if it's more than a nudge, but a hard shoulder to shoulder (playing the player)? What if the player who got nudged, realizes that he isn't going to get the ball, drops hoping to draw a foul? -What do you look for? Was the shoulder to shoulder clean or was it clearly an attempt to bump him out of the way? Was it true shoulder to shoulder or did he extend the arm to clear the opponent out? As for the flop, flops aren't all that hard to spot. HS kids aren't usually that good at it. Warn him first. Card him after that.

3) Loose ball in the penalty area. Keeper and attacker both are going for the ball. As the keeper reaches out to touch the ball, the attacker kicks it and his follow through [foot] contacts the keeper. (foul or no foul) Does it make a difference if the keeper retains possession after getting kicked?
General rule of thumb, protect the keeper. But don't let the keeper get by with cheap stuff -- especially knees in an aggressive and not protective fashion. Don't equate incidental contact with a clear reckless charge.
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Hope this helps -- even if it isn't in red like Nevada's.
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[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by refnrev

Your answer to #1 isn't very helpful because you likey misread what I put in pink and green. Perhaps you could take another shot at it and share your thoughts with us. The defender is coming from the front of the attacker and hits the ball, then the attacker. As we know from the ATR, merely contacting the ball first doesn't absolve the defender of a foul, but at the same time this action isn't a mandatory foul per the Laws like the converse situation in which the defender makes contact with the attacker first and then hits the ball second.

I really would like to know what you find wrong with what I put in red in #2.
I hope you don't say that he isn't playing the ball.

Your answer to #3 is excellent advice.

Originally Posted by refnrev

Hope this helps -- even if it isn't in red like Nevada's.
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Now that's funny!

[refnrev]

I didn't say anything was wrong with your answers. I just said my comments weren't in red.

[Nevadaref]

I meant the clip that I highlighted in your response. You wrote, "...or was it clearly an attempt to bump him out of the way?" Your usage seems to indicate that you think that there is something wrong with that. I was wondering what specifically that is.

[refnrev]

Nevada,
The key wording is bump... was it a clean bump or was he just clearing the player out of the way. Was it really shoulder to shoulder or was it a swim move? Was it a retaliation for getting beat on a previous play? Was the contact hard enough to be violent conduct? Was it a challenge or just a "take down?" Or if there are girls was it shoulder to shoulder or did she do that unique "chick thing" and put a hip into her which is not a legal move.

The OP asked for things to look for. I mentioned a few. I was neither questioning nor seeking to negate anything you said. I just mentioned, as a humorous side, that my reply was blue and yours was red.