Impeding Progress

One of the fouls spelled out by Law 12:  An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if, in the opinion of the referee, a player impedes the progress of an opponent.

In one of my games this past weekend, I worked with a CR who's specialty is to call this foul.  I say 'specialty' because I've seen him do it in every game he's worked.  I also say this because he is about the only one who calls this foul.  He is 100% correct in his application of the law, the problem is the rest of us aren't; therefore, when it is called inevitably there is a howl from the coaches.  And in my game the call led directly to a goal, as the attacking team immediately took their IFK and scored (simple touch, then kick by player #2 while the defending team was confused).   A part of Law 12 that I need to watch for in my games, especially U-14 to about U-18.

Managing Coaches

Some observations about a few coaches that were in my games this past weekend...

• For my first game (AR1), one of the coaches was nattily attired in a fedora hat, dress shirt, slacks, shoes, and tie.  Not normally a coach's attire on a warm Sunday morning for a U-12 boys game.  So I had to ask the coach about his attire.  He is a minister/pastor and had to go conduct the 10a service (after the 8a game that is).  Well that's cool.  So I wondered how he would conduct himself on the sideline.  I also wondered when we missed a call if he'd summon some help from the divine entity who's word he was preaching.  The answer:  He was a class act.  Knew when to lean on his players.  Questioned one call, but very professionally ("Oooh, that was close sir.  Unlucky guys (aka players)").  His team did win by a good margin, but I think he generally conducts himself that way.