What techniques do you employ when setting a defensive wall? What is your criteria for even taking the time to set one up?
The first thing I look for is whether the wall or any defensive players are within 10 yards and in a position to impede a quick restart. If so, I may tell them to back off, if they appear to be interfering with the play. My view, though, is that if they try to play a ball that inadvertently hits a defensive player closer than 10 yards, I won't give the offense a 2nd chance. On the other hand, I'll likely only card for encroachment if the player does something egregious in preventing a quick restart or doesn't listen to my first command to back off. For instance, if a player stands on top of the ball, he might get a quick card; if he's 6/7 yards away and does step a yard or two to either side to intercept a pass, I might give the ball back to the attacking team but with no card to the encroaching defender. Other than that, I'm only going to deal with an encroachment situation if asked by the attacking team. The most important thing, of course, here is to make sure that everyone knows the restart will now occur upon my whistle. The second most important thing is that I make some form of eye contact with my Assistant so that I'm sure he is watching the rest of the players while I'm watching the wall (we have, of course, gone over this in pregame). I'm deciding at this point whether to wave him to the end line to watch for a ball in/out of play or let him stay with the 2nd to last defender.
Depends on when it is the wall needs to be set. Usually a wall takes place only when there is a shot on goal from the kick itself. Most teams have free kick specialists that want everything set up precise so they can hit the corner of the net. Otherwise the team puts the ball into play well before you even have a chance to look around for a wall to form. The laws state that failure to respect the 10 yard distance is a mandatory caution for USB. In most cases the players hang around 6-8 yards in which case I just yell at them to get back as the team prepares to kick. If a player is purposely standing near the ball and not respecting the 10 yards, I give him a caution without hesitation. If I have to set a wall the first thing I do is look at the kicker, point to my whistle, and tell him to wait for my signal. Then I make eye contact with the AR to ensure he's in position to cover for me while I set the wall. Only after that will I trot back to place where the wall should be and point for the players to move back in line where I'm at. If they don't listen, I pull my yellow card out and put it in the palm of the hand I use to indicate where the wall should be. I make myself visible to the players so they see the card in my hand, and then indicate again where they need to line up. I guarantee this will get every single one of them in place ASAP and if they're smart they don't try to move forward before the kick either. If somebody doesn't listen by that point, instant caution. If anybody moves forward, instant caution. If it's later in the game after already going through this procedure or cautioning another player, I don't hesitate to give another caution if they don't get back 10 immediately. They don't need me to tell them every single time there's a wall what to do, I just run to the 10 yard area and point, and if they don't pay attention they go in the book -- possibly ejected if it's the same player. The reason I come down so harsh after the first time is mainly due to the nature of failing to respect the distance. It's usually a silent form of protest against the call you made -- it's not the other team the player is disrespecting, it's you the referee. I don't tolerate attitude from the players in any shape or form, verbal or not, and a good way to find yourself on the sideline is to belligerently prevent a free kick from taking place after your own team committed the foul to begin with.
spray paint I've not done it, but I'd surely like to. Have any of you seen the Brazilian refs handle this? They have this little can of white spray hanging on their waists. They mark their 10 yards using the spray can to paint a white line, the players quickly line up on it, and the FK is taken. The white stuff quickly dissolves. Pretty damned cool--and very effective.
I wait for the offensive to ask for 10 yards. I believe that the least intereference on the restart the better. Particularly if players recognize the advantage of a quick restart. So the offense must let me know they want a ceremonial free kick. Otherwise my thinking is they will try for a quick kick to gain or maintain the advantage from the original foul. If the offense asks for a ceremonial free kick, I stand over the ball point to my whistle and verbally tell the players not to kick or put the ball in play until I have set the wall and signalled for the kick. On my whistle. I then quickly move facing the ball to set the wall and bark in no uncertain terms for the wall or defenders to come to my mark or they will be cautioned. This gets them to focus and move and the restart can take place quickly. I then move into position and observe for encroachment and for fouls off the ball and quickly blow the whistle to restart play. I hate to prolong the restart. Get it done quickly. It avoids dissent and other ills if the match is chippy or hard fought.
I am actually very proactive on this at the very start and speak harshly to anyone that doesnt respect the distance immediatly. Once you do that you draw a line(figurativly) and they know not to mess with you. If the defense steps right in front of the ball(less then 5 yards) and interferrs I give them the evil eye with one warning and the card comes out. If the offense doesnt ask for ten I still use my voice to move back the wall if needed.
Statesman mentioned holding the yellow card in the palm of his hand to motivate compliance with the 10 yards. Have others used this? It sounds like a good technique, but I have previously felt that if I'm going to get it out, I should use it. THOUGHTS?
I don't think it's a good idea to pull out a yellow card and pointing with it for anything other than giving a caution. Remember that the yellow card is a signal for everybody in the area of the field that you are cautioning the player that it is directed at. I think that it can get confusing (maybe not to the people in and around the wall, but to everybody else) when you start pulling out the card for reasons it's not intended for. Let me give an example from the deep file of "REFEREE BLOOPERS OF SCOTT ZAWADZKI". I was centering a rather physical and very competitive Boys U16 match last spring. Now, you should know that early on in this match one of the teams sent on substitutes without my having called them on. I had to stop play and sort things out there. No cautions issued but both coaches were made clear that substitutes were no longer to enter the field without my 'waving them in'. The game went on with some really nice physical play, some not-so-nice and as I remember at least one caution into the second half. A goal was scored. I recorded the goal on my yellow 'write-on' card. Two players from one team who were waiting to sub in took about 3 jogging strides onto the pitch and called "SUB REF!" I gave a double toot to them on my whistle (which I always do to call in subs) and I waved them in........with my left hand.......which was still holding the (you guessed it) YELLOW 'write-on' CARD. Coach (of the team that just scored and was subbing) went nuts...it took me a good 15 seconds to realize that he thought I had just cautioned the two subs for entering the field before I gave them permission! I now wave in subs with my RIGHT hand when I'm in the process of recording a goal! Scott
I dissagree...I have never done it myself, but ive seen others hold it down and threaten. I have put my hand in my pocket as I chewed a player out.......I wouldnt be so quick to discount alternate game control methods by creative reffs.
Scott, I did that once too. After the goal, the keeper had come out to ask me something. While I'm talking to her, I beckon on a couple subs just like you did. Everyone thought I had carded the keeper. As I was walking back up through the team that got scored on and they're all going "Why'd she get carded?", "I don't know, did you see anything.", "No, did you?" Finally, one of them turns to the keeper, "Why'd you get carded?" and I realized what had happened and told them nobody got carded, I was just recording the goal. They all thought it was funny after that. As for setting the wall, I tend to be pretty much like Grey. I'm proactive and I generally mention it in my pregame -- give the 10 yards every time.
If done correctly, the only people who will see the yellow card are the players. I keep it in my shorts pocket so it's very easy to discreetly grab it and hold it in the palm of my hand. I'm not displaying it or flashing it around in any threatening manner, and the players get the point very quickly. In the end, that's what matters most to me. I've used this technique during one of my many assessments and have never gotten negative feedback. Most assessors don't even see it (neither does anybody on the sidelines), and those who do find nothing wrong with it. If you aren't comfortable with this method of controlling the match that's fine, but I wouldn't disregard it as inappropriate or incorrect. It's no different than acting like you're opening your shirt pocket to grab a card while talking to a player, they are less likely to dissent if they feel a yellow is coming. If anything it is a very effective preventative way of refereeing by adding a little weight to what you tell the players when they start to become a little hostile.
Statesman...as with all methods of control, if it works well for you that's great! Methinks that not all refs would be able to deftly hold the card out of most people's sight as you are able to do. BEWARE!!! All it's going to take is a little 'instictual' effort to cover your nose for a sneeze with that card in your hand and all hell breaks loose!!! Scott
Here is one example of just that Grey a colleague of mine suggested this; ___________________________________________ As a player harming your opponent with a foul you MUST retire at least 9.15 M (10 yds) from the point of the foul, as must all of your teammates. Should anyone not retire, you're in violation of Law 13 and may be cautioned. If the referee elects to remind you of your OBLIGATION to retire that is his right. There is no requirement for the defender to delay the restart of play unless he requests the referee establish opponents at least 9.15 M. The opponent, already harmed by your side's foul play, is further harmed by denying their quick restart of play when you fail to respect the proper distance, they demonstrate little understanding of fair play. When I referee, the first time a side fails to respect the proper distance and the opponents ask me to intervene on their behalf, I set the wall at 13-15 M. That complies with Law 13, the wall is at least 9.15 M, right. I explain to all griping players that next time they force me to intervene that the wall will be placed at 20 M and I’ll add 5 M on each subsequent occurrence of their failure to respect the proper distance. I mention that they know, as well as I do exactly where 10 yards is and if they were there would be no problems. For some reason I usually set a wall once per game. Interesting approach . Is it justifiable under law to do so? -------------------------------------------------- For me personally, the showing the card idea for effect I too perform but in a different fashion. I carry three sets of cards on me at all times. The write on cards are front left yellow and back right red in my shorts. These cards I show as the control cards as my normal, go to cards. I carry a red and yellow card inside my waterproof match report front left top shirt pocket. They provide a very solid writing surface and in writing or recording if I am dissented or need to my cards they are in my grasp without having to stop what I am doing. Finally another very large set of cards in my right front shirt pocket that will happen to peek out showing yellow first if i flip up my pocket flap. I will allow the shirt flap to pop up or actually grasp the tops and pull them partially out just so the players are aware they are there. I might even ask "Gentlemen are we looking for these? Which colour do you prefer?" Being discrete yet sending the clear message You guys decide or I will. When it becomes obvious the kicker wishes me to set the wall by a request or simply my need to calm things down and reset my position. I will generally signal my AR to be prepared to watch the gathering players If I stand over the ball and get the kicker's attention or at least the player who appears to be taking the kick. I get eye contact and state clearly, THat ball does not move from that spot! then holding up the whistle, " Wait for the whistle!" I either get a proper response and begin to back pace the distance facing the ball or I point to my whistle and state it again. Usually a bit theatrical and not neccessary but with laungage difficulties might be appropriate. My back pacing is quite acurate and I will count out the last 2 or 3 as "thats 8, 9, and 10 Right here gentlemen if you Please! I indicate to the 1st and last defender in the wall by eye contact and a verbal "I hold you two responsible for keeping this wall from breaking early" I also have no problems allowing my ARs to participate in the setting of the kick and ensuring the distance if it is within our pregame agreed area of the FOP and are confident in their abilities. Standing back observing can be illuminating as you see a different perspective. Generally sharp angle free kicks are not the same as middle of the field scoring opportunities and provide fewer control problems. Cetain Free kicks I will wave off the AR responsibility of offside these are discussed pregame. I like Grey will be on the defenders to immediately vacate the area even if not requested by the attackers and will only whistle restarts when absolutely neccessary. A clear issue for me a few weeks ago foul outside the penalty area the defenders milling I barked "Clear out 10 yards gentlemen Now! they backed up and were looking over at the keeper as he was trying to set a wall when the kicker set the ball and promptly scored Defenders visibly upset u-16 game for a no whistle restart. I patiently explained NO gentlemen you have NO right to set your wall unless the attackers or I want you too. You must give ten yards I should not have to say anything but just because I remind you of it gives you NO rights whatever.
Either your hands are big or my cards are big. No way that I could hide a card in my palm. But I do put my hand in my chest card pocket to provide some "encouragement" for players to join me at the wall. As far as wall placement, like g-bear, I have good luck setting the wall farther than 10 when there was encroachment that prevented the offense from taking a quick restart. When the players squawk about the distance, I tell them that the closer they start, the further I'll move them back. The smart ones learn that lesson quickly. Unstated in all these techniques is never trun your back on the ball.
lost among the trees Good point NSA , but I did slip it in the problem with extended threads or being long winded got that forest / trees thing going o) Back pacing is walking backwards facing the ball
I'd say there's about 3 different situations for setting the wall. In general, I don't want to interrupt the chance for a quick restart, but .... I'm fairly proactive about letting individual players know I think they're setting up too close (around 8 to 5), and don't consider those 'ceremonial restarts'. When it's an entire wall with no quick restart opportunity or when the kicker asks for 10, I tell the kicker to wait for the whistle, find a spot roughly parrallel to where I think 10 is, and back the players up until they're even with me (this from some distance away, since as soon as they're set, I want to be close to where I want to be when the free kick is taken). I generally never actually pace off the distance, either forwards or backwards, since 10 yards is easy to estimate - it's about the same difference as the kick-off spot to the center circle (sometimes even exactly the same difference if the guy lining the field was having a good day). When the defender's position is unreasonable (obviously less than 10, probably 5 or less?), he's getting a serious word if it's somewhere in midfield and probably due more to ignorance or obnoxiousness. He's getting a card if he takes an unreasonable position close to his own goal, where his position is taking away any tactical advantage of a quick restart by the opponents.
Just another reason I've never used the 'write-on cards' (rain being the first). About the only gimmick I've used is my hand going to my pocket. Probably the only reason it works is because I'm definitely leaning that direction, but having some second thoughts about whether the situation really warrants the card. Sometimes the antagonist picks up on what's about to happen and manages to backtrack quick enough that my second thoughts win out.