GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME©
"That's from behind ref..."
" Yeah... So?"

Soccer is a game where bodily contact often occurs, it is part of the game. That contact however, must be fair, orderly, and an honest attempt to contest for the ball. A tackle is a perfectly legal play and an effective way to gain control of the ball. However, for the tackle to be legal, it must conform to certain standards. It must be for the ball and not dangerous or violent. Even a tackle from behind, although difficult to execute, can be legal as long as it adheres to those standards.

There are four critical and escalating phases that a referee must look for in order for him to decide the legality of the play.

1. If the player makes contact with the ball and controls it cleanly, play continues.
2. If, however, the player making the tackle trips the opponent, the referee shall award a direct free kick.
3. If the tackle not only brings down the opponent, but in the opinion of the referee it was executed in a dangerous manner the referee shall not only award a direct free kick but shall also caution (and show a yellow card) the offending player.
4. If the tackle brings down the opponent in a violent manner with little or no attempt to play the ball, the referee shall not only award a direct free kick but also eject (and show a red card) the offending player.

The primary task of the referee is to ensure safety. In that capacity he shall identify the offense and the offender, estimate the degree of such offense and deal with it in the appropriate manner. Each incident has a life of its own, must be judged on its own merits, and the question of danger or violence rests entirely on the referee's opinion.

Remember, you may not guarantee equality of outcome, but you must ensure equality of opportunity.

THAT WAS FROM BEHIND...

© 1999 Francesco A. Scarsella, EMSOA Rules Interpreter