2 questions

[Emmet Kipengwe]

I did a competitive U-12 Boys game at a local tournament this weekend and a couple things came up that I'd like your help with.

1) Right off the bat, Blue is shouting out every perceived infraction. "Handball" "That's a trip" "Our ball", you know the type.
At a stoppage, I warned them to quit it, and it quieted down, but never quite went away. It was not really "dissent", more of just an annoyance. I completely tune out the sidelines during games, but how do you experienced refs handle this?

2) During a free kick that was awarded to Blue, White set up a wall(right about 10 yards) with a Blue player right in the middle of it. He wanted to be there so he could duck right as his player struck the ball. White didn't want him there, and squeezed him pretty hard. I let it go, figuring if Blue wants in the middle, he can pay the consequence. After the game, I wasn't sure that was the right thing to do. Has anyone else seen this, and what did you do?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[NHRef]

The "help" the players give on the field is something you need to decide how much you want to deal with. You can say things like 'you play, let me ref' and it should send the signal to stop. You can go to a UB yellow if it bothers you.

For the wall, treat it like any other spot on the field, the blue player has a right to be there, and the white has no right to squeeze him out. It can be viewed as a type of push.

[DerbyRam54]

In the Liverpool Everton game this past weekend Phil Dowd cautioned two players who were getting a little too physical with the jockeying for position on a CK, seemed to work very well for match control. The grappling matches that are starting to become a feature of the game are ridiculous at times, I think Dowd did everyone a favour with those cards.
You could point out the possibility of a caution if the bricks in the wall are getting too unruly.

[Wreave]

1. "You play, I'll ref" usually works for me. I don't need 11-year olds telling me how to do my job. If they persist, a more substantial warning would be appropriate - perhaps directed to the captain. If it's really bothersome, a card could be an option. If you go to the pocket, make it either for a player you can personally identify as a persistent offender, or for a player that's not likely to get another card during the game.

2. Any player has a right to be in the wall, or anywhere else on the field. No players have the right to push, squeeze, or elbow other players. If the ball is not in play, it's obviously misconduct not a foul. However, if the ball is in play, but not within playing distance, an otherwise legal charge becomes a foul. You have a couple of options for a game at this level. One, tell the entire wall (i.e. both teams) to cut it out, caution if necessary and appropriate. Then, two, if the ball is kicked and the defensive players foul the attacker (off-the-ball charge or push, etc.), blow the whistle and award a new free kick from the spot where the wall was. That's a lesson they'll learn real quick.

Keep in mind, the defending team is being penalized for an infraction of the laws. They have no rights - not to build a wall, nor to have a wall all to themselves, nor to push, squeeze, or otherwise foul an opponent who is standing in a legal position on the field. To a certain extent, being an attacker in a defensive wall carries certain risks, but that doesn't mean the defense has free license to commit fouls or misconduct against that player.

[Chubbywubby]

I usually start with "You're right, thanks for the help." (This also works well with coaches and spectators.) Only rarely do I need to follow up with "You play, I'll ref", and I've never had to escalate beyond that. Maybe I've just been lucky.

Possibly apocryphal, but a colleague says he once handed his whistle to the loudmouth player. In response to the blank, questioning stare he got back, he told him, "I figured you'd need this since you're calling the match anyway." Certainly not something that I could get away with, but presumably it worked for him.

[Statesman]

I usually just look the player in the eye and say "That's enough." Works no matter what age or level, if they keep it up you book them. If you just let it slide they'll never respect your decisions.

As far as your second scenario, judge each one by its merit. If you have to, hold up the kick and tell the white players the blue player has as much right to be there as they do. As long as blue didn't get himself in that position by grappling with white then it is their fault for allowing him in. Once he's there they can't shove him or squeeze him out of the way. The proper strategy is to put a man directly behind him. Just watch for pushing.

I wouldn't let any shennanigans in the wall go if its getting too physical. That's true for any jockeying during a restart.

[USSF REF]

Many plays are developed by attackers taking a position within the wall... "open the door" or "duck down" plays typically can be used to expose a GK who is over committed to one side.

Allowing these players to push the player out when he is standing there fairly is wrong.

[Gary V]

One exuberant little kid spouted off with, "That's a foul!" After I finished blowing my whistle, I told him he was right, but please let me call it. Ohhh, sudden humble little kid.

U15's are another matter - with them you need to take a firm stance early on, and not let up. Unless you enjoy hearing the crap all afternoon.

One fellow ref used a good line, "Could'ja give me a second to get the whistle into my mouth?"

[macheath]

One exuberant little kid spouted off with, "That's a foul!" After I finished blowing my whistle, I told him he was right, but please let me call it. Ohhh, sudden humble little kid.

U15's are another matter - with them you need to take a firm stance early on, and not let up. Unless you enjoy hearing the crap all afternoon.

One fellow ref used a good line, "Could'ja give me a second to get the whistle into my mouth?"

I tend not to joke around too much with players and coaches. Be careful not to embarass players (or make them think you're embarassing them, which is tricky with adolescents). A little humor can help, but I've seen it backfire. I tend to have a pretty high level of ignoring comments unless they are affecting play.

[refmike]

There is a 99% chance the players (and parents) are echoing the coach. Deal with him as he is responsible for the sideline.