On the second goal in KC v Col last week, CR Edvin Juresivic reacts to a quick turnover-breakaway by going against convention and employing a "reverse veer" to get a good angle on the possible foul. Conventinonal instruction advises referees in this position not to chase the play directly, but to veer off to the left, gaining the better perspective of the conventional diagonal and sacrificing some distance to the play. <Yellow Arrow> Juresivic seems to realize that in this particular case, the speed of Kamara (light blue), means that the conventional veer will give him no advantage and will instead worsen his perspective by straightlining him behind the defender (Yellow player). Reading his mind and inventing a term, Juresivic decides to take the "reverse veer" as the better way to get position to judge possible contact between the two primary players. <Orange Arrow> This is, of course, a gamble for two reasons: as Juresevic switches to the right, he sacrifices the convention of putting play between him and his AR, and his sightline becomes the same as (or similar to) AR2's. The second danger is the one that played out--without harm in this case. The ref takes himself away from subsequent action in the center of the field. The likely next phase of play, on a breakaway like this, is a centering cross to the supporting attacker in the middle of the field. This is what happens, and no doubt Juresevic breathes a sigh of relief when no foul is committed on the cross, as he is substantially farther from the play than he would like as the goal is scored. I don't know if this goes into the "Do what I say, not what I do" category; or the "You have to know the Rules of Thumb, in order to bend them" category. But I thought it was interesting. http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-07-14-clb-v-skc/highlights?videoID=192398
It's funny, when I watched that my thought was, "Great run to get more behind the play." In fact that was some feedback that I got in one of the academies I did this spring (OH-S has 6, two each city). I was taking terrible angles on breaks leaving me in the wrong position when the players got in the penalty area and was burned twice in one game when on a fast break the shorter attacker turned in along the end line and physically lost out. I was straight out looking through the defender to the challenge.
that's a great find, and a great explanation of why he did exactly the right thing. Quick counter, if he goes straight up field or up/left, he loses the angle to see between the players, his only good option is up/right to get the angle. AR1 is not well suited to watch that foul as there are other attackers/defenders to watch for any offside on the upcoming cross. Angle over distance is the right answer. Whenever you move ahead of the ball, as he was prior to the steal, due to anticipating the flow (which is the right thing to do), you run the risk of being out of position on a quick counter. When finding yourself behind, you have to catch up, but get the angle first.
So then, is the upshot that this tactic is a good idea when it works out well or at least doesn't end up biting you on the *ss, and a bad idea otherwise?
Pretty much. Like so many other decisions, you make the best choice you can for the likeliest outcome. There are always so many variables that it's impossible to guard against them all. I really like Juresivic. I've enjoyed watching his games. And this clip just confirms that refs look best when they wear all black. I know it was never debateable, but I just thought this was a good reminder.
Yes basically. No matter what he does he MIGHT get bit, however take the first major decision first. He has an attacker and defender with an open field ahead, he HAS to see that situation, so change the angle for that. Then work to catch up, then work to get back into your "correct" position. The second "might" situation may never happen, the first is already happening. Deal with it, go from there. That's why it's called a "recovery run". You have to recover your good position because you are in a bad one now!